Fast and reliable broadband service is a critical resource for regional economic development, growing and sustaining local businesses, and improving overall quality of life in communities. Developing broadband infrastructure and influencing policy have become increasingly important since the onset of the pandemic. Learn from members who will share promising practices from communities working to develop and assure coverage throughout the country. -Jim Baldwin, Executive Director, Cumberland Plateau Planning District Commission, Lebanon, VA -David Cleveland, Executive Director, East Texas Council of Governments, Kilgore, TX -Ryan Collins, Broadband Coordinator, Buckeye Hills Regional Council, Marietta, OH -Moderator: Monique Boulet, CEO, Acadiana Planning Commission, Lafayette, LA

1. EXPANDING BROADBAND
BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT IN VIRGINIA’S COALFIELDS
NADO ANNUAL TRAINING CONFERENCE
Portland, Oregon
October 19, 2021
Jim Baldwin, Executive Director
Cumberland Plateau Planning District Commission
Cumberland Plateau Company

2. 2002-2021
A LONG AND CROOKED
ROAD
BRINGING HIGH SPEED
BROADBAND SERVICES TO
FOUR VIRGINIA COALFIELD COUNTIES

7. Source: An Assessment of the Information Technology Infrastructure in the Coalfield Region of Virginia, September 2002
“Since significant private sector investment in
widespread broadband deployment within the
Region is unlikely, it is recommended that public
sector leaders continue their strategies to bring
broadband access to the Region.”

8. CPC Cumberland Plateau Broadband Background
• Serves four counties in Southwest Virginia: Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell and
Tazewell
• System construction began in 2003
• Initial owners were CPC and Bristol Virginia Utilities (BVU)
• Initial focus was on business customers to support economic development
• BVU announced proposed sale of its interest to Sunset in February, 2016
• BVU sale to Sunset/Point Broadband closed in August 2018; Point became
operator of CPC System
• Now operating as Cumberland Plateau Broadband

9. PUBLIC FUNDING
CUMBERLAND PLATEAU BROADBAND SYSTEM
BACKBONE: EDA $ 7,492,000
VA Tobacco Commission $ 7,618,660
MIDDLE/LAST MILE: NTIA $ 11,046,800
VA Tobacco Commission $ 10,692,029
VCEDA $ 1,000,000
CAF 2/RDOF $ 18,026,787
VATI Local $ 226,560
VATI Holistic $ 15,636,544
CPC/CARES Local $ 6,000,000
TOTAL $ 77,739,380
Private (Point Broadband) $ 13,000,000

10. UNIVERSAL COVERAGE PROJECT (Pending)
VATI - $45,925,426
Point - $13,024,000
CPC - $400,000
Total = $59,349,426

11. POT AT THE END
OF THE
CROOKED ROAD RAINBOW
From 204 Residential Customers in 2018
to an estimated 13,204 in 2024

12. AND NOW, THE REST OF THE STORY
CPC Receives 8.71 percent of Gross Revenues of System
Currently approximately $400,000 annually, estimated at over $1.0 M in 2024
Must be reinvested in ED or BB projects in District
Cumberland Plateau Regional Opportunity Program (CProp)
Progress to Date:
* Total CProp Grant Awards -- $2,815,772.60
* Total Leveraged Funds Committed/Pending -- $19,099,252.91
* Jobs Created – 308 new full-time jobs
80 retained full time jobs
60 new part time jobs

13. Questions
Contact:
Jim Baldwin, Executive Director
CPPDC/CPC
P.O. Box 548
Lebanon, VA 24266
jimbaldwin@bvu.net
276-889-1778