Electric Cooperatives Form New Broadband Association
Five electric cooperatives in Virginia and Maryland have formed a broadband cooperative association aimed at encouraging the expansion of high-speed internet service in underserved rural areas. The new Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Broadband Cooperatives (VMDABC) includes Millboro-based BARC Electric Cooperative and its BARC Connects subsidiary, Arrington-based Central Virginia Electric Cooperative and its Firefly Fiber Broadband subsidiary, Waverly-based Prince George Electric Cooperative and its Ruralband subsidiary, Chase City-based Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative and its Empower Broadband subsidiary, and Denton, Maryland-based Choptank Electric Cooperative and its Choptank Fiber LLC subsidiary. With internet connectivity issues growing in importance during the COVID-19 pandemic, the VMDABC association hopes to bring underserved areas into the digital age with reliable broadband service.
