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A recent universal broadband service plan for 18 Vermont towns was delivered ahead of schedule and under budget, officials say.
Source: Noah Wire Services
Edited by Brad Randall, Broadband Communities
The Vermont Community Broadband Board (VCBB) is marking a significant achievement with the Otter Creek Communications Union District (OCCUD), which has successfully completed its universal service broadband plan ahead of schedule and under budget.
The project delivered fiber-optic broadband service to 3,626 addresses, including 1,278 that previously had no internet access, through a partnership with Consolidated Communications’ Fidium service and an agreement with GoNetspeed, according to the VCBB’s August 20 release.
The savings of nearly $3 million ($2.99 million to be exact) from the project will be redirected to support broadband affordability initiatives statewide.
VCBB Executive Director Christine Hallquist said her team was very proud of the accomplishment.
Hallquist said the milestone is also a good example to represent how local communications union districts (CUDs) can demonstrate leadership.
“Hundreds of volunteers across our state have stepped up and worked tirelessly, and now people in the OCCUD towns have access to reliable broadband, and the rest of the state benefits from the efficiency and savings this work produced,” Hallquist said, according to VCBB’s release.
The OCCUD is a municipal entity established by 18 towns in the Rutland region of Vermont.
The member towns served include Benson, Brandon, Castleton, Chittenden, Fair Haven, Goshen, Hubbardton, Mendon, Pawlet, Pittsford, Poultney, Rutland City, Rutland Town, Shrewsbury, Sudbury, Wells, West Haven, and West Rutland, according to the VCBB.
The VCBB said the nearly $3 million saved from the project will support the state’s Affordable Long Drop Program, which helps cover costly long or nonstandard installation connections, including underground construction.
A staff writer used AI tools to help generate this report.