At its Aug. 21 meeting, VCEDA approved $2 million in grants for continued development of high-speed fiber optic broadband lines in Virginia's e-Region. The VCEDA board approved $1 million grants each to Cumberland Plateau Co., Inc. and LENOWISCO, Inc. I, which are non-profit, non-stock corporations of the Cumberland Plateau and LENOWISCO planning district commissions. Mike Quillen, VCEDA treasurer, said the VCEDA funding will be used for electronic upgrades and last-mile connections. "With further deployment of broadband in the region more jobs will be created and retained, and it will foster more opportunities for instantaneous data for companies and teleworking options for employees." Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA executive director, said, "We are actively promoting our region as a trendsetter in broadband access in rural America. These grants will enable broadband networks to continue to develop throughout Virginia's e-Region."

VCEDA led a delegation of economic developers promoting Virginia's e-Region at the annual Commonwealth of Virginia's Innovative Technology Symposium (COVITS) in Williamsburg Sept. 7-9. Governor Tim Kaine and Secretary of Commerce and Trade Patrick Gottschalk both stopped by the Virginia's e-Region booth during the symposium. Representing the region were Jonathan Belcher, Jean Jordan, Susan Copeland, VCEDA;  Harry and Yvonne Rutherford, Russell County; Margie Douglass, Tazewell County; Craig Horn, Buchanan County; Charlotte Mullins, Donnie and Doris Rife, Dickenson County; Carl Snodgrass, Wise County; Fred Ramey, City of Norton; Tim Long, Lee County; John Kilgore, Scott County; and Glenda Calver, PTAC.