Henry County is resetting its rural broadband project after a long delay left many residents without service. The original provider, RiverStreet, could not secure the financing necessary to complete the infrastructure work, resulting in years of stagnation for the community.
County Administrator Dale Wagoner noted that the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted significant gaps in internet access, particularly for students and remote workers. Without a reliable connection, many residents fell behind on critical tasks, creating a clear divide between those with home access and those without.
Officials have now terminated the contract with RiverStreet and moved to a new provider, ZiTel. This change means residents will have to wait longer for the build-out, with a new completion target of July 2027. The county says this new timeline is realistic and has grant funding in place to support the project.
Superintendent Zebedee Talley of Martinsville City Schools emphasized that this access is a matter of equity for students. The goal of the project remains to provide fiber-to-the-home connections to all underserved areas, which will stand as the fastest internet option for the region once finished.