Fredericksburg, Va.— Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC) proudly marks a significant milestone in its mission to ensure broadband connectivity across our communities, with 5,000 Cooperative members now enjoying high-speed broadband internet thanks to our strategic partnership with Firefly Fiber Broadband^SM, a wholly owned subsidiary of Central Virginia Electric Cooperative. This monumental milestone highlights REC’s efforts to bring high-speed internet to unserved and underserved communities.

“We take great pride in our ongoing partnership with Firefly, which is delivering remarkable progress in expanding broadband access across five counties,” said John D. Hewa, REC’s President & CEO. “Together with our contractors, REC has successfully constructed a fiber network in parts of Albemarle, Louisa, Madison, Greene, and Goochland, which Firefly is now leasing to connect our members to reliable high-speed internet.”

In total, nearly 10,000 REC members are registered for Firefly’s broadband service, with this milestone marking the critical halfway point.

Construction continues to move forward smoothly on the 2,650 miles of fiber to the home that will be leased by Firefly in the counties of Louisa, Greene, Goochland, Madison and Albemarle.

REC is collaborating with a variety of contractors who are working in all phases of the project to build the fiber network. Make-ready engineering is when workers go to each pole to determine if any modifications are required to support the fiber and its associated steel strand. Make-ready construction is when contractors set new poles or make other system modifications so that fiber construction crews can then come in and install the fiber. Fiber construction is an infrastructure project that takes 12-18 months to complete.

REC members interested in connecting to Firefly for broadband service should register at https://www.fireflyva.com/. Once registered, you’ll be notified when service is available in your area.

REC provides electric service to 180,000 connections in parts of 22 Virginia counties. With its general office in Fredericksburg, Va., the Cooperative operates and maintains more than 18,000 miles of power lines through its service area, which ranges from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the tidal waters of the Chesapeake Bay. For more information about REC, please visit www.myrec.coop. Follow REC on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.