On August 28, 2019, the Board of Supervisors directed staff to develop a recommendation regarding the formation of a Broadband Advisory Committee. On October 9, 2019, the Board approved the creation of the committee.

The scope of the committee will include:

• Reviewing existing maps and working with service providers to attempt to identify inaccuracies and recommend a method or methods to obtain information to correct the inaccuracies. The maps to be reviewed are the Federal Communications Commission Fixed Broadband Deployment Map and the Center for Innovative Technology Virginia Broadband Availability Map.
• Determining what infrastructure currently exists and how it can be leveraged to expand the improve service
• Developing practical solutions for serving the unserved areas of the County and prioritizing these solutions
• Preparing a final report and making a presentation to the Board of Supervisors

The Board expects to appoint two members to serve on the committee at its November 13 meeting. The Board members appointed to the committee on November 13 are expected to make recommendations for appointment of five citizens who possess applicable expertise in the appropriate fields at the Board’s December 11 meeting. 

The five citizens will be expected to have expertise in the following fields:

• Information Technology
• Wired Internet Service provision
• Wireless Internet Service provision
• GIS mapping
• Broadband infrastructure and tools available to support the project

The committee will begin meeting in January 2020 and is expected to report back to the Board by December 2020.

To express interest in serving on the committee, please complete an Information Sheet for Appointment to a Hanover County Board, Commission or Committee by November 25, 2019. Please include details of your qualifications in the fields listed above.