June 1, 2024 – NEK Broadband and CVFiber announce a preliminary plan to join the two Communications Union Districts (CUDs) under 30 V.S.A 3052a, a recent addition to the law under S.199. The proposed merger would unite resources, experience, expertise, and a shared commitment to deliver exceptional high-speed internet services to their collective 71 communities. Working together, they will be better able to support digital equity, economic growth, and community development across the Northeast Kingdom and Central Vermont.
Working more collaboratively allows the CUDs to leverage infrastructure investments effectively, accelerate the deployment of proven and reliable technologies, and optimize operational efficiencies. This will significantly add to the ongoing capacity to fulfill the combined mission to ensure that every resident and business has access to reliable high-speed internet.
Specifically, NEK Broadband and CVFiber propose to work together under the new business name, Northeast Central Broadband. The service plans, customer service, and pricing for both CVFiber and NEK Broadband areas will not change for the foreseeable future. Their respective financial, operations, and communications professionals will share skill sets. An additional benefit will be collaboration for grant applications that often benefit from a larger service area.
During this process, the CUDs are committed to providing transparent communications to keep customers, partners, and communities informed every step of the way.
Public Comment Period
- Copies of the Preliminary Merger Plan (the “Plan”) were distributed to the legislative bodies of NEK Broadband’s and CVFiber’s respective municipalities on June 1st. Both CUDs will arrange for notice of the July 16th public hearing by distributing such notice to their member municipalities, publicly posting such notice, and publishing notice in local newspapers and other paid media. These notices will be made no later than three days before the public hearing.
- NEK Broadband and CVFiber will each hold a public hearing on the Plan. Public hearings will be scheduled by each CUD for July 16, 2024.
Final Merger Plan Decision
- NEK Broadband and CVFiber will schedule Governing Board votes on the Final Merger Plan no less than 30 days after the public hearing. Governing Board votes for the Final Merger Plan decision are scheduled by each CUD for August 15, 2024.
For more information, please visit our website: nekbroadband.org/about-us/public-documents/
Direct inquiries can be sent to:
About NEK Broadband: NEK Broadband is a community-driven organization working to ensure every resident in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont has access to high-speed internet. Access to high-speed internet is central to creating greater economic prosperity and educational opportunities for today’s residents and for future generations. NEK Broadband is a Communications Union District (CUD) representing every town in Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans counties, plus Wolcott in Lamoille county. With a commitment to reliability and community development, NEK Broadband strives to make a positive impact on the lives of those we serve. www.nekbroadband.org
About CVFiber: As a community-owned and operated Internet service provider, CVFiber is serving its 20 Central Vermont communities with a unified goal to provide fast, reliable, and world-class Internet to every Vermonter within its member towns. In partnership with Waitsfield & Champlain Valley Telecom, which operates the network and interacts with its customers, CVFiber is equipped to meet the growing needs of Vermonters as it expands into new district zones. Twenty communities are a part of the CVFiber district: Barre City, Barre Town, Berlin, Cabot, Calais, Duxbury, East Montpelier, Middlesex, Marshfield, Montpelier, Moretown, Northfield, Orange, Plainfield, Roxbury, Washington, Waterbury, Williamstown, Woodbury, and Worcester. Learn more at CVFiber’s website.