EMPOWER Broadband is on the move, and the rural residents of Greensville County have recently begun seeing construction teams deploying fiber to deliver world-class, high-speed internet services to the area.
The telecommunications company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative, has multiple project areas currently under construction and work to expand services to additional homes and businesses across southern Virginia and northern North Carolina is well underway. EMPOWER is diligently working to bring the world to the fingertips of rural residents in communities along MEC’s service territory.
In 2022, the Southside Planning District Commission and its member counties, Brunswick, Halifax and Mecklenburg, joined with Charlotte and Greensville Counties to submit a super-regional broadband application and leveraged EMPOWER’s growing fiber infrastructure to extend service to addresses which were deemed as unserved by high-speed broadband. Through its efforts with EMPOWER, the regional broadband consortium was awarded an $8.5 million Virginia Telecommunications Initiative grant in 2023 to expand its fiber network and deliver services to an additional 4,804 addresses in portions of Greensville, Brunswick, Charlotte, Halifax and Mecklenburg counties. This award included matching funds from the counties, Dominion Energy and EMPOWER. EMPOWER currently serves over 100 subscribers in Greensville County and with this added funding the fiber network will pass 2040 additional addresses.
“In our modern economy, access to fast, affordable, and reliable internet is of paramount importance to the growth and success of families and businesses, especially in rural communities,” said Greensville County Administrator Dr. Charlette T. Woolridge. “Yet, there are areas in Greensville County that currently do not have broadband connectivity which poses significant challenges in accessing information needed for job opportunities, education, health care and more. We are pleased to work collaboratively with EMPOWER to provide broadband infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas of the county to bridge the digital divide, an effort that will undoubtedly prove to promote opportunities for economic growth and transform the lives of our citizens.”
“We are grateful for the forward thinking and commitment exhibited by Greensville County leaders and the SPDC during the grant process,” said Casey Logan, chief operating officer of MEC and EMPOWER. “They have shown great perseverance and determination in their efforts to help us bring this vital commodity to our rural communities. We are proud to work alongside them, transforming the digital landscape in Southside Virginia and bringing economic and educational opportunities to rural Greensville County residents and businesses. We are pleased with the progress that is being made to deliver this much-needed service.”
The fiber installation process has begun along Brink Rd. and Hunt Lane in Greensville County, and over the next few weeks, EMPOWER crews will be working in the areas of Chapmans Ford Rd., Greenleaf Inn Rd., Quarry Rd., Macedonia Rd., Independence Church Rd., Bowen Rd., Doyles Lake Rd. and Ruby Trail. This project is scheduled to continue into 2025 as crews continue deploying this fiber network throughout the rural portions of Greensville County.
Authorized contractors from TRC will be working with customers along the lines to secure easements, where necessary, and staking the fiber route, while S&N Communications, an experienced local Virginia contractor, will be deploying both overhead and underground fiber facilities. Contractors will have identification and their trucks and equipment will be marked as contractors for EMPOWER. EMPOWER encourages residents to reach out at 1-833-RURALBB if they have any questions regarding TRC or S&N Communications.
Currently, EMPOWER serves over 5,300 internet subscribers throughout MEC’s service territory with a fiber network that includes nearly 1,300 miles of fiber and passing some 17,500 homes, businesses and churches within 2,000 feet of mainline power. Additionally, the SPDC Broadband Consortium, including Greensville County, has applied for another round of VATI grants for 2024 which, when approved, will reach an additional 13,000 passings across Southside Virginia.
EMPOWER encourages those interested in service to visit empowermec.net and click Check Availability on the top menu bar. Follow the steps to view current eligibility, apply for service or to register interest for future construction. EMPOWER’s construction update is refreshed as new projects begin and those interested are encouraged to follow those updates for the most accurate project updates.