Marjorie Ray

For Immediate Release 
May 20, 2025 
Contact:  
Ellie de Villiers, Executive Director, Maple Broadband (802) 377-3721 
 
Tonya Ozone, Director of Sales and Marketing, NEKCV (802) 472-1190 
 

Washington, DC – In the ongoing efforts to bring high-speed internet access to all Americans, Vermont continues to provide leadership and insights on the national stage. The American Association for Public Broadband (AAPB) hosted its inaugural public broadband conference in partnership with New America Open Technology Institute (OTI) on May 14^th-15^th, bringing together leaders nationwide to discuss strategy and best practices, and engage in public broadband advocacy. 

A Vermonter was highlighted on each of the conference’s panel discussions. Ellie de Villiers, Executive Director of Maple Broadband and Chair of the Vermont Communications Union District Association (VCUDA); Christa Shute, Executive Director of NEKCV Broadband and Secretary of VCUDA, and Alex Kelley, Director of Broadband Consulting for the Center on Rural Innovation (CORI) covered subjects ranging from building a successful broadband network, to sharing key aspects of a good public-private partnership, and wide-ranging policy topics. 

“Vermont’s public broadband-first strategy via its communications union districts provides a bold model for advancing the public interest, and we appreciate the insights

Vermont brings to the nationwide conversation about the practicalities of building, supporting, and providing strong governance for public networks,” stated Gigi Sohn, Executive Director of AAPB and former nominee for the Federal Communications Commission. 

Following the conference, some attendees met with offices of both Republican and Democratic members of Congress to discuss barriers and opportunities related to ensuring that all Americans have access to reliable, high-speed, affordable internet service. Across the board, Representatives and Senators expressed interest in and support for public broadband and its crucial role in getting high speed, reliable, affordable internet to all Americans. That experience emphasized that broadband is one of a relatively small number of non-partisan issues. 

Some key themes emerged from the conference: the importance of effective competition, access to high-speed internet in rural areas, and the degree to which broadband contributes to economic development. Universal high-speed access enables data-driven efficiencies such as smart metering for electrical utilities, as well as services such as telehealth, which can facilitate delivery of certain services faster, with more efficiency, and lower costs than in person alternatives. 

“It was truly encouraging to meet with and hear both Republican and Democratic Senators and Representatives agree with the ongoing importance of public funds for broadband infrastructure,” stated Shute, adding, “There are true benefits to building infrastructure within the state to help replace failing copper DSL infrastructure that form the base for public safety. Investing in public infrastructure further ensures that those public funds will contribute to the public good for generations.” 

According to de Villiers, the event emphasized the importance of efficient and effective use of funding, and the knowledge, skills, and governance required to do so. Fiber-optic networks, such as those being built by the CUDs, are a particularly good long-term investment because in comparison to other technologies, well-designed fiber networks will last for decades with lower costs to upgrade or maintain. “Using public funds efficiently and effectively, and focusing on the long-term total cost of ownership is particularly critical in areas where low population density and/or incomes makes private investment challenging,” said de Villiers. 

The conference also highlighted the fact that despite significant investments especially since COVID, rural broadband is still an issue all across the country. “If you can build broadband in a state as rural as Vermont, you can do it anywhere. I’m thrilled to see Vermont continue to be a national leader, because the battle to bring great broadband to every rural area is far from over. For communities with connectivity gaps, it’s never too late to explore how to take charge of your connectivity future,” stated Kelley.

About Maple Broadband: Maple Broadband is a Communications Union District (CUD) based in Addison County and is a local, community-governed internet service provider. Maple Broadband’s mission is to ensure that every on-grid address that it serves, in member towns, has access to high-speed fiber-optic broadband service supported by prompt, skilled, helpful customer service. CUDs are not-for-profit, municipal entities and cannot tax their member towns or the residents of those towns. A CUD must fund its network construction and operations through grants, loans, donations, and subscriptions. 

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About NEK Community Broadband dba NEKCV: NEK Community Broadband dba NEKCV is a Communications Union District (CUD) that is community-driven and working to ensure every resident across 71 towns in the northeast and central Vermont with utility service has access to high-speed internet with symmetrical speeds up to 2 gigabits per second. Affordable internet is central to creating greater economic prosperity and educational opportunities. The communications union district is committed to investing profits into the network, increasing affordability and supporting digital access and literacy. nekcv.org 

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The American Association for Public Broadband proudly represents community-owned broadband networks and co-ops that are fueling the nation’s economic future through reliable high-speed internet access. With more than 400+ networks serving nearly 800 communities across 33 states, public––or municipal broadband––is answering America’s call for reliable, affordable, and accessible internet for all. Visit AAPB.us to learn more. 

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The Center on Rural Innovation (CORI) believes in the potential of rural communities, and that rural people should have the same access to opportunities in the tech economy. As a national nonprofit, CORI uses data-driven research, partnerships, programming, and investment to support and connect rural leaders as they build inclusive tech ecosystems in rural America.

Funds Added as VCBB Completes Distribution of Nearly $245M from ARPA 

Montpelier, Vermont – Vermont Community Broadband Board (VCBB) is pleased to announce the availability of $8 million in additional funds for the state’s broadband buildout. The money is interest earned on initial American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money that the General Assembly entrusted to the Vermont Community Broadband Fund. VCBB will be developing proposals on the best use of the $8 million for the Board’s consideration in the near future. 

“The VCBB is excited for this additional $8 million in funds. The Board and staff will work carefully and extensively with partners to leverage these funds to ensure the sustainability, affordability, and longevity of Vermont’s community broadband expansion efforts enacted under Act 71,” said VCBB Board Chair Patty Richards. 

These funds come shortly after VCBB has awarded nearly all of the state’s ARPA Capital Projects Fund (CPF) funds to Vermont Communications Union Districts (CUDs) and internet service providers. $241 million has now been granted to fulfill Universal Service Plans and ensure that every Vermonter has access to broadband. All of Vermont’s CUDs have now received construction funds. 

“Vermonters are seeing tremendous progress. We’ve already funded service to more than 30,000 homes and businesses, and we won’t stop until everyone in the state is connected. These additional funds will be used to help provide access for struggling Vermonters,” said VCBB Executive Director Christine Hallquist.

The most recent grants were awarded this fall to Maple Broadband, Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom (WCVT), NEKCV, and Chittenden County CUD. NEKCV was granted $4.3 million in ARPA funds, as well as $21 million in funds to match federal grants. 

“The latest grants from the VCBB will enable NEK Community Broadband dba NEKCV to leverage additional future federal dollars. The VCBB has provided the foundational support that has enabled our communications union district to build public infrastructure in over 50 towns, offer service to over 6,000 addresses with thousands more being able to access service within the next few months, and serve over 1,200 customers with fiber optic based symmetrical speeds up to 2 gig a bit per second,” said NEKCV Executive Director Christa Shute. 

Chittenden County CUD was awarded $2.1 million, and WCVT was awarded $600,000. ARPA CPF provided $10 billion in federal funds to states and territories for critical capital projects that enable work, education, and health monitoring in response to the pandemic. 

The next major federal funding opportunity for broadband is the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. Vermont has been allocated $229 million, which will be awarded to internet service providers next year after a competitive bid process. VCBB is confident that the funding will be enough to finish Vermont’s broadband buildout. 

For more information about the Broadband Construction Grant Program and to see a list of grantees, go to the VCBB funding dashboard.

Island Pond, VT – NEK Community Broadband dba NEKCV, a communications union district in northeast and central Vermont held an event on October 30th to celebrate four major grant awards: two from the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development (USDA-RD) and two from the Vermont Communications Broadband Board.  

Sarah Waring, USDA State Director for Rural Development (RD) in Vermont and New Hampshire, announced that NEK Broadband, in a highly competitive national competition, was awarded $2,847,276 through the USDA Community Connect Grant program to bring fiber-optic high speed internet, to every unserved address in Groton, Vermont.  The town of Groton qualified for the grant because no residential address had 10 Mbps service, soon they will have access to service that includes symmetrical upload and download speeds of 100 Mbps to 2 Gigabit per second.  NEK Broadband won this grant for Groton based on an outpouring of support including more than 30 letters of support from businesses, municipal organizations, agencies, and other partners and supporters from across the region and state. Also, over 40 residents have expressed interest in potentially volunteering for at least one hour a week to help staff & support the Community Center/HUB that will be established under the grant. 

The announcement was made at a celebration event held at the NEK Broadband warehouse in Island Pond, VT, to mark the first customer to receive service as a result of a $17,463,911 USDA ReConnect grant awarded to bring service to every town in Essex County and towns in eastern Orleans and eastern Caledonia county.  Christa Shute, Executive Director of NEK Broadband, stated that the design and field collection across the 25 towns is well under way and the construction of the 351 mile project is scheduled to start in the first quarter of 2025 and last through 2026.  

Shute remarked, “The USDA-RD has been and remains a critical source of funding to help fulfill our mission of bringing service to the many thousands of unserved in our 71 town district. The areas served by these two grants represent a large portion of the district that has less than six people per mile.“  NEK Broadband’s first customer under this ReConnect grant stated: “Now that NEK Broadband has been installed, we can not only work from home without any concerns about connectivity and speed, but we can turn our home into a smart home for the energy savings and security we want, connect with friends and family, and do so many more things that were previously unavailable to us before this upgrade.” 

“We are thrilled to partner with NEK Broadband to make high-speed internet a reality for communities that have waited too long for adequate service,” said Waring. “This investment in rural broadband is critical to ensuring that all Vermonters have the tools to succeed, especially in today’s digital economy.”

Senator Peter Welch joined Sarah Waring and Christa Shute, NEK Broadband’s executive director, at the announcement ceremony. The senator is Chair of the Rural Development and Energy Subcommittee. “The last few years have shown all of us how important high-speed broadband is. From online school and remote work to telemedicine, a good connection is essential,” said Senator Welch. 

“Receipt of the Community Connect Grant is collective testament to our residents, town officials, and regional & state organizations coming together to collaboratively address the fundamental need of getting broadband to the region,” added Michael Gaiss, Groton’s primary representative on the Governing Board of NEK Broadband. “This critical investment will significantly impact the livelihoods, health, and public safety of our rural community for years to come.”

According to a Groton community survey about the potential benefits of having high-speed internet, completed in 2023, having the ability to work from home more frequently and effectively was a need indicated by many residents. Survey respondents embraced new opportunities that would be available for students: utilizing online learning platforms for advanced placement, broader curriculum choices, and earning college credits. Access to telehealth resources was important to many others. 

Rob Fish, Deputy Director of the VCBB announced at the event two recent grant awards to NEK Broadband approved by the board on September 30th.  The first is an additional $4 million construction grant and the second is a $21 million grant to be used as a match for, and contingent upon, a Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) grant.  The pre-application for BEAD grants opens late this year with the final application deadline in the spring of 2025.  While it will still be a number of years before the entire project is complete, this latest grant funding will, according to Shute, serve the areas most in need and is critical to the overall success of the project. 

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About NEK Community Broadband dba NEKCV

NEK Community Broadband dba NEKCV is a community-driven organization working to ensure every resident across 71 towns in northeast and central Vermont with utility service has access to high-speed internet with speeds up to 2 gigabits per second. Affordable internet is central to creating greater economic prosperity and educational opportunities. The communications union district is committed to investing profits into the network, increasing affordability and supporting digital access and literacy.