Broadband networks are the first enabling technology since electricity to fundamentally impact society to such a great extent that it is now viewed in economic development circles as “critical infrastructure”.

CIT is the only resource in the Commonwealth that offers a “holistic” supply and demand approach to solving the broadband equation.  The current mission of CIT’s Broadband Program is to “accelerate the socio-economic growth of Virginia’s rural and underserved areas through the application and use of broadband telecommunications.”  This bold mission statement emphasizes the idea that the true value of broadband telecommunications infrastructure is derived from the applications that traverse its capacity, not the mere existence of the infrastructure.    In keeping with its mission, CIT is assisting communities across Virginia planning network deployments.  From Northern Neck to far Southwest Virginia, CIT is bringing expertise and resources to broadband projects in all stages of development.  In Southside, CIT is coordinating with Southside and West Piedmont Planning District Commissions and Mid-Atlantic Broadband Cooperative to provide demand aggregation and e-commerce training services to communities along the Route 58 corridor.   These activities are the result of a $140,000 grant awarded to CIT by the Economic Development Administration to complement the infrastructure project that is underway.

Two cornerstone activities currently offered through the CIT Broadband Program include Broadband Infrastructure Attainment and Broadband Education.  CIT’s program activities in each area include:

Broadband Infrastructure Attainment

Broadband telecommunications infrastructure planning offers an unprecedented opportunity for elected officials, educators, healthcare providers, economic developers and citizens to define the future for their community.  CIT staff serves as a coalescing force to bring unrelated groups together to forge partnerships for infrastructure attainment.  Process elements include: leader and stakeholder identification, demand assessment and aggregation, resource identification, request for information (RFI) development, and funding identification. 

One of the most overlooked, but imperative, elements of broadband deployment is the training and preparation of the user base.   Effective utilization of broadband technologies can bring unparalleled efficiencies and opportunities to organizations of all sizes, orientation (public and private sector), and function.   Not since the industrial revolution has technology adoption made such a fundamental change in the conduct of business. 

Recognizing the important role that "informed consumers" play in the ultimate success of broadband deployments, CIT initiated the development and delivery of an introductory broadband workshop entitled “Broadband 101 – Untangling the Wires.”  The workshop is designed to help broadband “novices”:

• Understand terminology and acronyms
• Attain an unbiased understanding of the technologies commonly referred to as “broadband”
• Gain an awareness of applications, efficiencies, and opportunities that are enabled by broadband
• Safeguard their operations through the implementation of adequate security and networking controls

To date, CIT has conducted workshops in South Boston, South Hill, Blackstone, Clarksville, Bristol, Abingdon, Richlands, Lebanon, Marion, Gate City, Rocky Mount, Stuart, and Harrisonburg.  More than 300 representatives from a wide variety of organizations (companies, non-profits, educational institutions, government entities, first responders, citizens) have participated.

For upcoming events and workshops, please go to our events page.