March 09, 2023
Project exemplifies County’s commitment to digital equity
Roanoke, VA – Officials from Roanoke County and Cox gathered on Thursday, along with residents and community partners, to celebrate the availability of broadband services to more than 400 previously unserved homes in the county. A public-private partnership announced in April 2021 between the county and Cox enabled the buildout of services to ensure these residents can experience the opportunities presented by an increasingly connected world.
Completed in only two years, this project represents a $3 million investment, 75% of which came from strategic use of Roanoke County’s local and federal funds, with the remaining investment covered by Cox. Areas served by this expansion include Bent Mountain, Bradshaw Road, Cove Hollow Road and the Starlight Lane area.
“Bridging the digital divide is a priority for Roanoke County, as residents want to be able to enjoy the beauty and privacy offered by a rural setting but also desire modern amenities like broadband, which enable access to education, healthcare services, and employment opportunities,” said Martha Hooker, Roanoke County Board of Supervisors Chair, Catawba District. “I’m so pleased we could partner together with Cox to get us one step closer to universal broadband coverage in the county.”
Cox is committed to ensuring that the world of opportunities presented by connectivity are within reach for all. Cox offers several low-cost internet plans and works with community partners, including Roanoke County, to raise awareness of initiatives to affordably connect more families. To date, Cox’s Connect2Compete program has helped bridge the digital divide for 88,000 Virginians in households with school-age children, including nearly 7,000 in Roanoke, providing service to these families for only $9.95/month.
In addition, Cox is a participating provider in the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides a $30 monthly subsidy to qualifying families and, when applied to Cox’s high-speed Connect Assist tier, enables Roanoke families to connect at no charge to the customer. Cox currently has 43,000 affordability customers in Virginia, including nearly 6,000 in Roanoke.
“While all Cox customers in the Roanoke Valley today can access speeds up to 1 Gigabit, we’re committed to giving customers options when it comes to the connection they need,” said Jeff Merritt, Roanoke market vice president for Cox in Virginia. “Our customers have counted on our reliable service for more than 45 years, and through continued investment we remain dedicated to being the internet provider customers can count on for the access they need now and in the future.”
Cox also recognized Roanoke County Director of Communications and Information Technology Bill Hunter with a Broadband Champion Award for his commitment to digital equity in Roanoke County at Thursday’s event. Bill has worked tirelessly to coordinate this and other expansion projects to ensure all residents of the county, regardless of their street address, can harness the power of a reliable broadband connection to compete in today’s digital world.
