NORTHEAST KINGDOM – The NEKCV Communication Union District (CUD), formed by the merger of NEK Broadband and CV Fiber has used ARPA funds to connect users in almost half its 72 member towns, Last week it moved closer to its goal of bringing universal broadband internet service to its member towns with the state broadband board’s provisional approval of a $93 million BEAD grant that’s now pending federal approval as part of the state’s overall $180 million proposal.
The NEK Broadband map shows service now available in Hardwick on West Hill Road and Bridgeman Hill Road, extending into Greensboro around Caspian Lake and toward Craftsbury, as well as in the southeast corner of Hardwick, along Vt. Rte. 15, Brown Farm Road and Hopkins Hill Road. Service is anticipated in 2026 along Center Road and Hardwick Street, extending into Greensboro, pending the federal approval of BEAD funding.
A section of Greensboro from Young Road along Vt. Rte. 16 to the area around Gebbie Corner will be covered by that same BEAD funding, with the map showing service anticipated in 2026.
map courtesy NEKCV website
Some northwestern areas of Stannard have service now, according to the map, which shows other areas in that section of town anticipated to have service before the end of this year, along with a neighboring section of northern Walden. Much of Walden along VT. Rte. 15, and extending to Dow’s Crossing and North Walden, shows service available now.
Service is now available in Woodbury along Vt. Rte. 14 into much of Calais and extending into the northern section of East Montpelier, according to the map. Construction is underway in western sections of Woodbury and Calais, and bordering eastern sections of Cabot and Marshfield, extending to U.S. Rte. 2 and Cabot Road, with service anticipated later this year,
The map shows construction underway in one portion of Wolcott and funded in another, both areas extend into southern areas of Craftsbury not yet covered by Kingdom Fiber there.
Portions of some towns in the area are already served by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) with fiber and/or cable, thus not a priority for NEKCV service until all unserved areas are covered.
The NEK Broadband service area map is at nekbroadband.org/map.
Paul Fixx serves on the NEKCV Governing Board and Executive Committee.
Paul Fixx is editor of The Hardwick Gazette and lives in Hardwick.
