JACOB PHILLIPS, NBC29

7th District Representative Abigail Spanberger stopped by Madison County Monday, August 9, to celebrate a partnership that brought fiber broadband connection to thousands of people in Virginia.

The Democrat says this is a historic moment for Madison County.

Just ahead of the ribbon cutting, Virginia Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger spoke about how huge this is for people in Madison County.

“Once upon a time it was electrifying communities that was the make or break between who got left behind and who could be part of the future and in this day in age its who can connect to broadband internet,” Spanberger said.

The partnership between the Rappahannock Electric Cooperative, or REC, and Firefly Fiber Broadband will allow those in underserved communities to stay connected.

“We have connected over 5000 REC customers with high-speed internet service,” REC Spokesperson Casey Hollins said. “In Madison County specifically, we’re at the very beginning stages of connecting those customers with internet.”

Hollins says this improvement will go a long way for people in and around Madison.

“It’s going to allow people to work from home, it’s going to allow young students to do schoolwork from home which has been a real challenge in rural areas,” Hollins said.

Congresswoman Spanberger spoke the same sentiment saying nobody should be at a disadvantage because of limited access to high-speed internet.

“No student should have to sit in the Mcdonald’s parking lot to do their homework, no senior or veteran should ever be denied or not be able to get telehealth services because they can’t get that broadband connection,” Spanberger said.

Madison County administrator Jonathan Weakley says this is a much-needed upgrade for the county.

“It’s imperative for folks to be connected. They’re getting their information, whether it’s news from you guys or emergency situations we need to put out. It definitely needs to be equity in that.”