Bedford County planning director reports progress on multi-phase broadband rollout

Stephanie Clevenstine, Bedford County’s director of planning, updated the Board of Commissioners on the county’s broadband initiative on March 12, saying Phase I — the installation of 21 towers — was completed last year and Phase II construction is under way with support from an ARC grant.

Clevenstine described the county’s broadband work as a multi-phase effort that began in 2018 and accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic when demand for telehealth, remote education and work-from-home access rose. She said Phase III will focus on extending service from tower coverage to homes but will require additional funding to reach that goal.

The update provided a timeline and rationale for continued investment: initial tower infrastructure, a compensation plan for operations, and subsequent grant-supported construction. Clevenstine did not specify a Phase III budget or an exact timetable for household connections at the meeting.

Commissioners did not take a separate vote on the broadband report; it was presented as a staff update during the meeting.