VCEDA Grant Will Assist Buchanan County IDA Starlink Internet Project
GRUNDY, VA – DECEMBER 1, 2025 -- An up to $125,000 grant from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Telehealth Fund to the Buchanan County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) will soon be used to finance the provision of Starlink Internet service to eligible unserved and/or underserved citizens with telehealth and telemedicine needs in Buchanan County.
Eligible households will receive the equipment necessary to provide them with the service through an agreement between the IDA and Appalachian Broadband Innovators.
According to the IDA, the grant is intended to help people in Buchanan County who may not have access to other forms of Internet service.
The grant covers the costs and expenses of hardware, wiring, installation and two-year subscriptions for each household served. After the first two years, individual subscribers to the service are responsible for paying the service bill in the event they wish to maintain the service.
“VCEDA was appropriated $500,000 in the Virginia state budget for FY2023 and $500,000 in FY2024 for initiatives intended to expand education and telehealth access,” said VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher. “In FY2026, the state budget included $125,000 for VCEDA to be used for that purpose. At the same time, language was removed which allowed the funding for ‘education.’ Most of the funds to date have been approved for projects involving Starlink satellite Internet service in the region.”
“The Industrial Development Authority of Buchanan County would like to help unserved and/or underserved citizens with telemedicine and/or telehealth needs in Buchanan County, particularly those who may lack access to traditional broadband or who may live in more remote areas of the county which do not have access to good broadband,” said Buchanan County IDA Director Matt Fields. “Just because they are in more remote parts of the county does not mean they shouldn’t have the same opportunity to connect. Thanks to more health providers offering telehealth services, this would allow those the ability to have telehealth at home, which is something our older demographic is taking advantage of.”
Buchanan County residents interested in exploring their eligibility to receive the service may contact the IDA at 276-935-6563.
About Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority and Southwest Virginia’s e-Region: The Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority, created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1988 to enhance and diversify the region’s economy and help create jobs, markets Southwest Virginia’s e-Region and its focus on electronic information technology, energy, education, emerging technologies, and entrepreneurship. VCEDA is a unique economic development organization that manages funds for economic development projects from a percentage of the coal and natural gas severance taxes paid by coal and natural gas companies that operate in the region. Located in southwestern Virginia, the region includes Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Tazewell, and Wise counties and the City of Norton. www.vceda.us or www.e-Region.org.
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PHOTO CAPTION: VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher, left, presents a ceremonial check for $125,000 to Buchanan County IDA Executive Director Matt Fields to be used to finance the provision of Starlink Internet service to eligible unserved and/or underserved citizens with telehealth and telemedicine needs in Buchanan County.