Video: Co-op Broadband Enhances Education, Local Economy in Rural Virginia

BARC Electric Cooperative set out to upgrade its substation and down-line communications tools to broadband fiber internet in order to improve the co-op’s electric service, but it also aimed to connect its residential and commercial consumer-members to all that high-speed internet has to offer.

Since launching BARC Connects a few years ago, the Millboro, Virginia-based co-op has connected residents, schools and local businesses to opportunities they’d never had access to before.

Students at Mountain View Elementary School can now study math, literature and social studies without waiting for long dial-up connections, a historic mill built in the 1750s can attract visitors and sell its products online, and a local family dentist can serve his patients with efficient and affordable care, while giving back to his community.

Watch the video above to learn more.

For more on rural broadband, check out NRECA’s podcast: