January 15, 2025 – AccessOn Internet today announced the official groundbreaking of its new fiber-optic network coming to rural southern Warren and southwestern Halifax Counties. This significant step marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for residents and businesses in the area, bringing ultra-fast, reliable Internet and phone services to this previously underserved community.
In a small gathering held in the Afton community, local leaders, company executives, and construction teams met to commemorate the arrival of fiber Internet to the region. The project, which is set to expand high-speed fiber Internet availability to approximately 2,500 addresses, 100 businesses, 76 farms and 22 educational facilities through the USDA ReConnect Program, will provide cutting-edge technology to Warren and Halifax counties.
“We are thrilled to be breaking ground on this transformational project,” said Steve Ledford, CEO. “Access to reliable, high speed Internet is essential for education, healthcare, business, and personal growth in today’s world. Through the Reconnect Program, we’re able to provide fast, fiber-optic connectivity that will fuel economic development and ultimately improve the quality of life for everyone in this community.”
Erik Dixon, Strategic Advisor – Business Development expressed gratitude to the community and governmental officials in supporting AccessOn throughout the grant process. “In the coming months real things are going to happen. All of us are doing this because it makes a difference.”
The new fiber-optic infrastructure will enable residents to experience download and upload speeds that are significantly faster than traditional broadband services, enhancing work from home capabilities, distance learning opportunities, entertainment options, and more. Additionally, local businesses will be empowered to improve operations, expand digital services, and better compete in the current digital economy.
Local leaders also voiced their excitement about the positive impact this project will have on the community. “Broadband access has been a top priority for the county, especially in the last four years as we have partnered with the state and Internet service providers on infrastructure builds to serve our residents,” said Charla Duncan, Community & Economic Development Director of Warren County. “AccessOn’s rollout in the southern part of our county will serve some of our highest need areas, which will help us close a major connectivity gap in a critical piece of infrastructure for the resilience and development of our residents.”
AccessOn Internet is dedicated to establishing a local presence within the community and will meet the demands of expanding operations by hiring locally. The office will be located in the newly renovated Dameron building at 105 Franklin Street, Warrenton, currently under construction. Once construction is complete, customers will have a neighborhood office with friendly, local customer support to meet their needs.
“Having a local office for customers to be able to call or walk into and be greeted by familiar faces is not common in this industry today,” said Jan Harris, local site manager and Warrenton native. “It is a testament to this company’s aim of becoming a mainstay in the community. It’s exciting to be a part of a project that will move the community forward and keep that small-town feel.”
The project will be completed in phases, with the construction to continue for several years. The ReConnect Program grant carries an obligation to prioritize network construction and servicing of addresses in the grant funded area. AccessOn Internet plans to expand after the grant work is satisfied.