Category: News

Citizens In The News...

Community Wi-Fi, Carroll County expansion help mark 2025 annual meeting

"The 2025 annual Meeting of Citizens Telephone Cooperative was held on Saturday, Oct. 18, at Citizens’ office on Webbs Mill Road in Floyd.

Registration began at 11 a.m., and the meeting started at noon with President of the Board Joseph Italiano calling the meeting to order.

Italiano cited some of the company’s accomplishments over the last year, stating that Fiber-to-the-Home has had a significant impact on Floyd County residents. He continued sharing that the Cooperative now plans to expand into portions of Carroll County made possible by a Community Connect Grant."

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Citizens Telephone Cooperative Annual Meeting 2025

The 2025 Annual Meeting of Citizens Telephone Cooperative was held on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Citizens’ office on Webbs Mill Road in Floyd. Registration began at 11 a.m., and the meeting started at 12 noon with President of the Board, Joseph Italiano, calling the meeting to order.

Mr. Italiano cited some of the company’s accomplishments over the last year, stating that Fiber-to-the-Home has had a significant impact on Floyd County residents. He continued sharing that the Cooperative now plans to expand into portions of Carroll County made possible by a Community Connect Grant.

Mr. Italiano turned the meeting over to the CEO & General Manager of Citizens, Donna Smith, who further shared how the Cooperative used funds from several grants, including LECAP, to cover the cost of long driveways and expanding to underserved areas with State & Federal grants. Citizens currently has grants in Floyd, Carroll, Grayson, Wythe, Montgomery, and Pulaski counties. She pointed out that the grant process is laborious, “there is a lot of time spent on mapping and forecasting costs. We work diligently on reporting and compliance of the grants we currently have and continue to apply for new grant opportunities.” Citizens assisted the Dugspur Community Center with their newly opened computer center for public use as part of the Citizens Community Connect Grant award received.

Smith stated, “Our team at Citizens realizes there are other options for Internet service, but our team is superior in delivery, customer service, and technical support. We have heard this statement over and over as customers request Citizens because of our commitment to our customers and the communities we serve.” Smith pointed out that the Internet is opening doors for entrepreneurs, enabling youth to stay in the community while attending college, and helping them find jobs and remain in Floyd County. “The Internet has become a necessity for learning, working, and for entertainment,” continued Smith.

Smith pointed out that the Co-op has over 6,300 customers already connected to fiber, with some areas of the County obtaining a 100% migration rate. Citizens rolled out additional Network Protection and Parental Control features to all fiber customers in 2025. Features are controlled from the Citizens CommandIQ App.

New for 2025, the Cooperative collaborated with one of our vendors and the County of Floyd leaders to roll out SmartTown Community Wi-Fi. SmartTown gives Wi-Fi access to EMS, Fire, First Responders, and Citizens’ customers throughout the county. In areas with poor or non-existent cellular service, this feature could save a life.

Another benefit to Citizens’ customers, as a part of the SmartTown network, unless chosen to opt out, is the ability to securely connect to any SmartTown Community Wi-Fi Location throughout the communities served by Citizens. Smith highlighted the following public locations as secure SmartTown Community Wi-Fi locations:

  • Floyd Parks & Rec ball fields
  • The Warren G. Lineberry Park
  • Citizens’ Office parking lot
  • Turman’s Sports Complex in Willis (Operational between 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.)
  • Willis Village Mart - Coming Soon
  • Country Store of Check
  • Dugspur Community Center
  • Dugspur Deli Mart
  • Southwest VA Farmer’s Market, Hillsville
  • Carroll County Ballfield, Playground, and Splash Pad
  • Ivanhoe Civic League’s Jubilee Park
  • Poor Farmer’s Market in Meadow of Dan - Coming Soon

Smith mentioned the migration to the new SFN TV Now Gen 2 app for Citizens’ TV customers. All customers are encouraged to download the new app to avoid future interruptions in TV service. Additionally, SFN TV Now is the exclusive place to catch CCTV Channel 20 airing Floyd County High School Sports and programming such as the Floyd Country Store’s Friday Night Jamboree. She continued by stating that home Carroll County games are being added this season since the Co-op is expanding into that area. Lastly, Smith invited the community to attend the Free Community Concert from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. with Jerry Wimmer and Bottom of the Barrel band and to participate in the Floyd Rotary Chili Cookoff.

Secretary Shelby Quesenberry read the minutes of the 2024 meeting, and Board Member Wesley Goff presented the nominees for re-election to the Board: Kevin Hubbard - Ballard exchange, Daniel Grim - Floyd exchange, and Rhonda Turpin- Willis exchange. They were approved without opposition. Door prizes were awarded, and a BBQ lunch was served for the attendees.

At the evening Free Concert, the Floyd Fire Department won both honors of the Taster’s and People’s Choice Awards. As the Rotary’s annual fundraiser, Floyd Fire, EMS, and the Sheriff’s Department were given monetary donations from Clark Gas & Oil, presented by Adam Gardner.

Citizens Telephone Cooperative Announces the
Launch of SmartTown Community Wi-Fi

Secure Community Wi-Fi for First Responders, Residents, and Visitors to Floyd County

Following the completion of county-wide fiber optic construction, Citizens Telephone Cooperative, in partnership with the County of Floyd, is expanding the use of its robust network beyond homes and businesses. Today, Citizens announced the launch of Citizens SmartTown Community Wi-Fi, a secure mobile Wi-Fi service designed for both subscribers and visitors.

Public Wi-Fi has been available in several Floyd County locations for years, offering a quick and reliable way to get online. However, the need for expanded access became clear—particularly in emergencies and areas with limited or no cellular coverage. Citizens responded by utilizing equipment in subscribers’ homes, activating a separate access connection for connectivity, which keeps subscribers' data separate and unaffected. The Co-op has installed outdoor Wi-Fi units at public gathering spots and is working with local businesses to broaden coverage.

“Think of it as a blanket of secure Wi-Fi connectivity across our county,” explained Donna Smith, CEO & General Manager of Citizens. “Community Wi-Fi keeps subscribers connected and provides critical support for EMS and first responders in areas where cellular service is limited.”

How It Works:

  • For Citizens Subscribers: Eligible customers will be invited to join SmartTown Community Wi-Fi. With the proper equipment, their home connection can act as a secure hotspot, helping to extend coverage throughout the county. Importantly, Community Wi-Fi is not a replacement for home Internet and does not use subscriber data—it runs on a separate, secure connection.
  • For EMS and First Responders: SmartTown Community Wi-Fi provides automatic, secure connections in the field, eliminating delays caused by limited coverage and protecting the privacy of residents.
  • For Security: Citizens SmartTown Wi-Fi includes built-in encryption, ProtectIQ® and ExperienceIQ® protections, and an authenticated profile for a safe and private online experience.

Subscribers can set up access in just five easy steps, which takes approximately two minutes. Once the Passpoint® profile is installed, devices automatically connect to hotspots as users travel through participating areas.

Community Wi-Fi across Floyd County is a game-changer for public safety and local connectivity. From an IT standpoint, this provides a secure, reliable infrastructure for our residents. For EMS and first responders, it ensures critical information can flow without delay, even in areas with limited cellular coverage. In emergencies, every second counts, and this initiative helps keep both first responders and residents connected when it matters most.”

Phased Rollout:

“This rollout will happen in phases,” noted Lydeana Martin, Floyd County Economic Director. “We’re starting with EMS and first responders, then Citizens will invite subscribers to join. This initiative is about saving time and lives in emergencies where every second counts.”

Subscribers will also have the option to opt out if they prefer not to participate or don’t wish to access the Community Wi-Fi service.

Where to Connect Today:

Citizens SmartTown Community Wi-Fi is now live at several locations, with plans to expand for more connectivity:

  • Floyd Parks & Recreation ballfields
  • Warren G. Lineberry Park, Floyd
  • Citizens’ Office parking lot, Floyd
  • Turman’s Sports Complex, Willis (Operational between 7 am - 9 pm)
  • Willis Village Mart, Willis - Coming Soon
  • Country Store of Check
  • Dugspur Community Center
  • Dugspur Deli Mart
  • Southwest VA Farmer’s Market, Hillsville
  • Carroll County Ballfield
  • Carroll County Playground/Splash Pad
  • Ivanhoe Civic League
  • Poor Farmer’s Market, Meadow of Dan - Coming Soon

Additional Community Wi-Fi locations will be announced as expansion continues.

To learn more and watch an overview video, visit citizens.coop/smart-town.

Citizens is a member-owned Cooperative providing fiber optic Internet, telephone, and TV to Floyd County and surrounding communities for over 110 years. Citizens provides symmetrical broadband and hosted phone solutions for businesses, schools, government agencies, and industrial parks throughout Southwest Virginia. Hours of operation are 8 am to 5 pm Monday - Friday, and 9 am to 12 pm on Saturday. Citizens is located at 220 Webbs Mill Road, Floyd, VA 24091

Citizens In The News...

Citizens unveils renovated Dugspur Community Center

"Thursday was a “leap forward in opportunity and growth for Dugspur” as the Citizens Telephone Cooperative from Floyd unveiled the newly-renovated Dugspur Community Center as part of a grant that is also bringing high-speed internet to 1,700 homes in Dugspur and Laurel Fork.

Hot dogs and BBQ were provided to the sizable crowd at the open house while speakers talked about the grant, high-speed internet, and improvements to the community center. Sheila Newman, Chairman of Dugspur Community Center, thanked the Carroll County Board of Supervisors and staff for their help and for never giving up on the project."

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Citizens to unveil newly-renovated Dugspur Community Center

"In addition to a commitment to provide high-speed internet to approximately 1,700 homes in the Pine Creek and Laurel Fork districts of Carroll County, the Citizens Telephone Cooperative from Floyd will be unveiling the newly-renovated Dugspur Community Center on June 26.

An Open House/Ribbon Cutting for the newly-renovated community center will be held that day at 6 p.m. at 118 Double Cabin Road. Citizens and the Dugspur Community Center will be celebrating the newly-renovated computer lab and many other updates to the center. BBQ and hot dogs will be provided."

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Citizens Telephone Cooperative Launches $6.3 Million Broadband Expansion into Carroll County with USDA Rural Development Grant

Citizens Telephone Cooperative (Citizens) is proud to announce it has officially received authorization to begin work on a $6.3 million broadband expansion project, funded by the USDA Community Connect Grant. This milestone follows initial notification in January 2025 and enables Citizens to extend high-speed Internet service to underserved portions of Carroll County, Virginia, reaching approximately 1,500 homes.

“This funding marks a significant step toward closing the digital divide in rural Virginia,” said Donna Smith, CEO & General Manager of Citizens. Citizens plans to put plows in the ground immediately to keep our promise to the residents of Carroll County. We are only waiting on environmental studies to be completed.”

The project will primarily serve the Dugspur and Laurel Fork communities. As part of the initiative, Citizens is partnering with the Dugspur Community Center to offer educational and training opportunities, reinforcing the cooperative’s commitment to community development.
Smith added, “Not only are we happy to serve residents and businesses in the area, we are excited to partner with the Dugspur Community Center to bring educational and professional development options to the area.”

In today’s connected world, where the average home supports over 20 Internet-connected devices, Citizens is committed to delivering reliable, high-speed fiber Internet. The network is designed to ensure seamless service, free of buffering, lag, or slow speeds, no matter how the Internet is used.

Residents will be notified as construction is completed and fiber service becomes available. Notifications will be sent via email, mail, and phone. Interested residents can visit www.citizens.coop or call 276.637.6485 and press 2 to speak with a sales agent.

Citizens is a forward-thinking, member-owned Cooperative that has delivered telephone, Internet, and TV technology to Floyd County and surrounding communities for over 110 years. Business services include broadband, data transport, hosted phones, web services, and more. Citizens is located at 220 Webbs Mill Road in Floyd, VA. Lobby hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association conducted a member survey in August 2024 on how the potential disruption of Universal Service Fund (USF) support could affect rural consumers, broadband investment in rural America and the viability of existing rural broadband networks.

The survey was conducted following a July decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit which found the system for contributions to the federal USF unconstitutional. More than 200 of NTCA’s broadband provider members from 35 states responded to the survey, which found that rural Americans’ broadband rates could skyrocket, broadband network investments could drop and that there is substantial potential for default on outstanding network construction loans if USF support is eliminated.

Although the Fifth Circuit’s decision has no immediate impact on federal USF support pending Supreme Court review, and while NTCA is hopeful that the Supreme Court will overrule the Fifth Circuit consistent with its precedent and the decisions of other federal circuit courts, this survey examines potential impacts on the mission of universal service if further judicial proceedings were to disrupt the collection of USF contributions.

The survey’s key findings are:

  • Respondents reported receiving an average of $72 per month per broadband subscriber in USF support to help recover their invested capital, repay loans and cover operating expenses.
  • Sixty-eight percent of respondents said they would need to cancel deployment projects next year equaling over $1 billion, representing nearly 80% of planned investments for 2025.
  • Similarly, 71% of respondents indicated they would need to cancel 2026 deployment projects, equaling nearly $900 million and representing nearly 83% of these companies’ planned investments for 2026.
  • And 67% of respondents said they have outstanding debt for prior broadband network deployments, including loans from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, some of which could be at risk if USF were eliminated.

The exact impact on any rural provider or any rural community would of course differ depending on how a provider tried to address the loss of USF support in the wake of an adverse court decision. The survey results overall, however, underscore that rural Americans ultimately will pay the price through a mix of materially higher broadband rates and materially worse broadband access, and that the negative ripple effects of such a ruling would also affect providers, capital markets, and even the federal budget.

Visit www.ntca.org/universalservice to learn more.

Citizens Awarded ARC Funding

In 2024, Citizens Telephone Cooperative (Citizens) completed a $40 million fiber-to-the-home project covering Floyd County, VA. Besides residential services, Citizens connects businesses and industrial parks in multiple counties in Southwest Virginia with a robust middle-mile fiber network.

Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine recently announced that Citizens Telephone Cooperative has now been awarded funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) enabling the Internet company to expand the middle-mile fiber network. This project will encompass 26,400 linear feet of fiber to connect 285 businesses with up to 10 Gbps speeds. The complete article can be read at warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2025/2/warner-and-kaine-announce-540-000-in-federal-funding-for-floyd-county The article features quotes from U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA), who emphasized the positive impact of federal funding on local communities.

Citizens plans to bolster broadband connectivity in Grayson and Dublin Industrial Parks as well as in Blacksburg at the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center. Citizens’ CEO & General Manager, Donna Smith, added “Our heritage has been built on connecting people and communities. We will continue to do just that with this funding to connect industrial parks and businesses allowing local companies to be more competitive, more productive, and expand jobs in the area.”

Citizens is a member-owned Cooperative providing fiber optic Internet, telephone, and TV to Floyd County and surrounding communities for over 110 years. Citizens provides symmetrical broadband and hosted phone solutions for businesses, schools, government agencies, and industrial parks throughout Southwest Virginia. Hours of operation are 8 am to 5 pm Monday - Friday; and 9 am to 12 pm on Saturday. Citizens is located at 220 Webbs Mill Road, Floyd, VA 24091.

Citizens In The News...

Citizen's Deploy Residential Fiber to Portions of Carroll & Grayson Counties

"Citizens Telephone Cooperative (Citizens) recently completed a $40 million fiber-to-the-home project covering Floyd County, VA. The Coop has now been awarded a Community Connect Grant from the USDA enabling the Internet company to expand their service footprint into portions of neighboring Carroll
County."

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Warner and Kaine Announce $540,000 in Federal Funding for Floyd County

"Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $540,000 in federal funding for Floyd County to expand high-speed broadband in the region. The funding was awarded by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), an economic development agency of the federal government and 13 state governments that innovates and invests to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in 423 counties across the Appalachian region."

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Data Privacy Day 2025

Put Privacy First

Data Privacy Day is the perfect time to revisit and improve your digital safety practices. Here are some essential tips to help protect your personal information, data, and devices:

  1. Use Strong, Unique Passwords
    Avoid using easy-to-guess passwords. Opt for long, complex passwords with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Consider using a password manager to keep track of your passwords securely.
  2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
    Add an extra layer of protection by enabling 2FA on your online accounts. Even if someone gets hold of your password, they’ll need a second factor, like a text message or authentication app, to access your account.
  3. Update Software Regularly
    Keep your operating system, apps, and antivirus software up to date. Many cyber-attacks exploit vulnerabilities in outdated software, so make sure you install updates as soon as they’re available.
  4. Be Cautious of Phishing Scams
    Cybercriminals often use phishing emails to trick you into giving away personal information. Don’t click on suspicious links or download attachments from unknown sources. Always verify the sender's information.
  5. Use Secure Wi-Fi Connections
    Avoid using public Wi-Fi for sensitive activities, like online banking. If you must use public networks, consider using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) for added security.
  6. Backup Your Data
    Regularly back up your important files to a secure location, whether it's an external hard drive or cloud storage. In case of a cyber-attack, you can restore your data without significant loss.
  7. Educate Yourself and Others
    Stay informed about the latest cyber threats and educate your family, friends, and colleagues on safe online practices. Cyber security is a shared responsibility.
  8. Monitor Your Accounts
    Regularly check your bank accounts, credit cards, and other sensitive accounts for any unauthorized activity. Early detection can help minimize damage in case of a security breach.

By following these tips, you can enhance your digital security and reduce your risk of falling victim to cyber threats. Stay safe online, and remember, protecting your digital life is an ongoing effort!

Citizens Expanding Fiber Internet to portions of Carroll & Grayson Counties

Citizens Telephone Cooperative (Citizens) recently completed a $40 million fiber-to-the-home project covering Floyd County, VA. The Coop has now been awarded a Community Connect Grant from the USDA enabling the Internet company to expand their service footprint into portions of neighboring Carroll County.

“Today, Citizens has LECAP (Line Extension Customer Assistance Program) funding through the Virginia DHCD (Department of Housing and Community Development) to help connect neighbors to our existing fiber network in Carroll and Grayson Counties. In addition, the Community Connect Grant will cover a large portion of the Dugspur and Laurel Fork areas. Together, these projects will further expand our fiber-to-the-home Internet service,” stated Donna Smith, CEO & General Manager of Citizens.

The Cooperative plans to pass over 2,500 homes offering 1 Gbps symmetrical Internet service. Construction is anticipated to begin in the early Spring of 2025. “Today, the average home has over 20 devices connected at any given time. Our mission is to provide a service so no matter what you do online, no one in the home experiences slow speeds, buffering, or lagging issues,” continued Smith.

Residents should rest assured that through the process, as construction is complete and the fiber is tested, eligible residents will receive emails, letters, and phone calls.

For more information, visit www.citizens.coop or press 2 to speak to a sales agent by calling a local number 540.745.2111 or 276.637.6485. Citizens is a leading-edge, member-owned Cooperative providing the newest telephone, Internet, and TV technology to Floyd County and surrounding communities for over 110 years. Citizens' business offerings include broadband, data transport, web services, hosted phones, and more. Citizens is located at 220 Webbs Mill Road in Floyd. Lobby hours are 8 am - 5 pm Monday - Friday; and 9 am - 12 pm on Saturday.

Citizens Cablevision Launches New Local Weather Channel for
SFN TV Now Customers

New Channel Provides Live Local Radar and Forecasts

Citizens Cablevision, a subsidiary of Citizens Telephone Cooperative (Citizens), is excited to announce the launch of Your Citizens Weather, a new, locally originated weather channel available for customers of SFN TV Now-powered by Citizens. The channel will provide continuous, real-time updates on local weather, including live radar and forecasts sourced from the National Weather Service in Blacksburg, VA.

Your Citizens Weather is now available on SFN TV Now Channel 98, offering an always-on weather feed designed to keep customers informed of current weather conditions in their area. This new channel replaces the previous “Weather on the 8’s” broadcast that aired the local forecast, providing a more dynamic and localized experience.

The popular Weather Channel is still available on SFN TV Now Channel 1142 for those who prefer national weather coverage.

In addition to the new weather channel, Citizens Cablevision offers a local CCTV Channel 20, highlighting community sports and events. The channel features The Ag Show, a popular educational program hosted by Jon Vest, the local Floyd Extension Agent. The show focuses on agricultural issues and topics of interest, offering informative content to local viewers.

Citizens also offers advertising sponsorships for Your Citizens Weather and local programming on Channel 20. Businesses interested in reaching a local audience through these platforms can contact Citizens for more details on sponsorship opportunities.

“We’re committed to providing our customers with more localized and timely content,” said Donna Smith, CEO and General Manager of Citizens. “The launch of Your Citizens Weather is just one of the ways we’re continuing to invest in our community and improve the viewing experience for our customers.”

For more information about Your Citizens Weather or to inquire about advertising opportunities, please visit citizens.coop/tv-advertising/ or contact Citizens directly at 540.745.2111 or 276.637.6485.

About Citizens Cablevision:
Citizens Cablevision is a subsidiary of Citizens Telephone Cooperative, dedicated to delivering high-quality cable television and broadband services to local communities. Through innovative services like SFN TV Now, Citizens Cablevision continues to provide its customers with reliable, community-focused content and customer service.

Citizens is a member-owned Cooperative providing fiber optic Internet, telephone, and TV to Floyd County and surrounding communities for over 110 years. Citizens provides symmetrical broadband and hosted phone solutions for businesses, schools, government agencies, and industrial parks throughout Southwest Virginia. Hours of operation are 8 am to 5 pm Monday - Friday; and 9 am to 12 pm on Saturday. Citizens is located at 220 Webbs Mill Road, Floyd, VA 24091

Who’s Ready to Rumble? Join Citizens in a Nationwide Esports Tournament

Citizens customers have an exciting opportunity to compete in a free online Rocket League esports tournament against teams from across the country for prizes–and we need your help.

We are looking for teams of three people ages 13+ to sign up for the Rural Rumble tournament.

The 3-on-3 Rocket League tournament will test player skills and give you a chance to learn about other exciting esports opportunities in our community and beyond. Elimination rounds will be played on Sunday, February 2; the championship round will be played on Sunday, February 23 and streamed live at a national conference in Texas.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a newly-interested player, visit the Rural Rumble website for more information and to sign up to play. It’s free.

Questions? Contact the tournament’s organizer, Josh Seidemann, by email.

Register Here By January 15th

Merry Christmas from all of us at Citizens! As we reflect on this year, we want to express our gratitude for your continued support. Below is a special holiday message from our CEO, Donna Smith.

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Citizens! We are grateful for the opportunity to serve our community and connect you with loved ones.

Citizens In The News...

Carroll and Rockbridge counties receive millions in federal internet money

"The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Community Connect Program is providing $5 million to Citizens Telephone Cooperative to deliver high-speed broadband for 1,838 residents and 22 businesses in Carroll County."

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Warner & Kaine Announce Over $9 Million in Federal Funding to Expand Broadband in Carroll and Rockbridge Counties

“High-speed internet allows Virginians to access more educational, health care, and economic opportunities, which is why we’ve worked hard to expand internet access during our time as governors and senators,” said the senators. “We’re glad to see this federal funding headed to Carroll and Rockbridge counties to build broadband infrastructure. We will continue working to ensure families and businesses across the Commonwealth can access the internet.”

The funding is broken down as follows:

  • $5,000,000 for Citizens Telephone Cooperative in Carroll County to build a fiber-to-the-premises system that will benefit 1,838 residents and 22 businesses in the area. Residents will be able to access free internet for at least two years at the Dugspur Community Center.
  • $4,460,000 for BARC Electric Cooperative in Rockbridge County to build a fiber-to-the-premises system that will benefit 816 residents and four businesses in the area. Residents will be able to access free internet for at least two years at the Lake Robertson Recreational Area.

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Citizens Telephone Cooperative Marks Another Milestone in 2024

The 2024 Annual Meeting of Citizens Telephone Cooperative was held on Saturday, October 19th, at the Citizens’ office on Webbs Mill Road in Floyd. The meeting, led by President, Joe Italiano and General Manager, Donna Smith, marked another milestone for the Cooperative in completing the six-and-a-half-year construction project to bring fiber-to-the-home to 100% of residents in Floyd County.

President Joe Italiano opened the meeting, led the Pledge of Allegiance, and gave the President’s Report. Secretary, Shelby Quesenberry, read the minutes from the last meeting, and Director, Kevin Hubbard, presented the re-election of Board members Lynwood Allen (Floyd exchange) and Wesley Goff (Locust Grove exchange). President Italiano cited the Cooperative’s progress and commended the leadership and staff of the Cooperative for their commitment to reaching goals and remaining a leader in technology.

With over 120 members in attendance for the meeting, highlights of the Cooperative’s progressive year and milestones were shown through comments from Floyd County Community and Economic Development Director, Lydeana Martin, and a customer testimonial video. Smith summarized the year by stating ”Over the last six and a half years, we have learned so much from our community members. It’s amazing to hear the various uses and needs of the Internet. The Internet is a necessity for learning, working, and entertainment. The Internet is opening doors for entrepreneurs, keeping the youth of our community here while they attend college, and even allowing them to land jobs and remain in Floyd. She continued, “We hosted a Finish Line Party in August for our community to celebrate the end of construction. We are currently working in Ballard, the last area opened to connect. I could not be more pleased with our employees and their accomplishments,” stated Smith, referring to the fiber-to-the-home project. To date, 100% of Floyd County homes and businesses can connect to 1 Gbps Internet by using CitiZip Fiber.

Additionally, with the completion of the fiber build, over 1,800 customers have migrated to the SFN TV Now platform. “This economical TV service solution has allowed us to continue to offer local sports and events on CCTV Channel 20,” stated Smith. “I’m happy to say that customers of all ages tell us they are enjoying the experience.”

Traditions of the annual meeting continued with door prize drawings for members followed by a BBQ lunch. You can view the meeting and testimonial video below.

Testimonial Video

Annual Meeting 2024

Citizens Telephone Cooperative Announces the Launch of SmartBiz

An All-in-One Business Wi-Fi Solution

Citizens Telephone Cooperative (Citizens) announced the launch of SmartBiz, a new purpose-built solution for small businesses. SmartBiz moves beyond connectivity and provides an all-in-one managed Wi-Fi experience. It offers a new way for business owners to drive productivity by managing staff and business systems such as point-of-sale, securing their network, delivering Guest Wi-Fi to customers, and easily managing it all with an app.

“Citizens is always looking to meet the needs of our customers. Small Businesses often need more in a WiFi solution than offered with a residential class service, and commercial grade solutions are not within their budget,” says Lori Saltus, Sales & Marketing Manager at Citizens. “This is where SmartBiz comes in. It offers affordable WiFi features designed to meet the needs of Small Businesses with a convenient-to-use CommandWorx mobile app.”

“SmartBiz was created with our local business owners in mind. They deserve a robust solution that is simple to manage and frees up their time to focus on their business instead of managing their I.T. or networks,” says Donna Smith, General Manager of Citizens. “SmartBiz modernizes any network, saving valuable time and money and allows businesses to prosper with essential connectivity and business-grade features that promote their brand and keep their data and customers safe.”

Features and benefits of SmartBiz include:

  • Seamless wired and wireless Internet coverage throughout the business
  • Business-grade network security for the point-of-sale, staff, and business networks
  • Safe and secure customer Wi-Fi with a branded customer portal
  • Network resiliency with cellular backup capability
  • Self-service management for the business owner with the CommandWorx app

For more information on SmartBiz for Small Business, Press 5 when calling 540.745.2111 or 276.637.6485 to reach Joy Gardner or Elizabeth Dorsett and visit citizens.coop/smartbiz for more information.

Citizens In The News...

Broadband aid - The $2 billion-plus effort to close Virginia’s digital divide

"A couple of Holstein cows poke their heads through the metal gates of the barn as Mark Sowers fiddles with one of his most important pieces of farm equipment — a smartphone.

Sowers opens an app on his phone that gives him real-time information from the nearly 300 milking cows that roam Huckleberry Dairy, the 700-acre family farm in Floyd County he co-owns with his brother Curtis. The monitoring system, made by Israeli dairy tech company Afimilk, connects wirelessly to sensors strapped to each cow’s leg and relays information such as the number of steps a cow has taken, the animal’s body temperature and other health facts that help Sowers know when a cow might be ready to breed or give birth.

“It’s a Fitbit for cows,” Sowers says."

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Citizens Telephone First to Complete Fiber Build in Southwest VA

Citizens Telephone Cooperative is proud to announce the completion of its county-wide fiber-to-the-home construction project, marking a significant milestone in Southwest Virginia. In August 2024, Citizens will become the first company in the region to offer a 1 Gbps fiber connection to every home in Floyd County. This achievement underscores Citizens' commitment to providing cutting-edge internet services to its community.

Building
Workers 1

To celebrate this accomplishment, Citizens invites the public to join a community event on Saturday, August 3, 2024, at 220 Webbs Mill Road in Floyd, Virginia. Festivities will kick off at 5 pm with axe throwing and yard games and food trucks offering a variety of meals, snacks, and drinks for purchase. The evening will culminate with live music by local lead singer Jerry Wimmer and The Worx starting at 6 pm.

Established in 1914, Citizens has grown from its roots to become a leader in telecommunications. The completion of this 10-year fiber project, initially launched in 2017 with over a $40 million investment, reflects Citizens' dedication to enhancing broadband access in underserved areas. By leveraging FCC, ACAM, and VATI funding, Citizens accelerated the project timeline, completing it ahead of schedule in six and a half years.

"We are thrilled to bring Gigabit fiber services to every resident of Floyd County," said Donna Smith, CEO & General Manager of Citizens. "This project is a testament to our ongoing commitment to technological advancement and community service."

Citizens was recognized as a Certified Gig-Capable Provider by NTCA in 2018 and has actively participated in state and federal initiatives such as VATI, CARES, and LECAP funding to expand broadband access. The cooperative's fiber project exceeded $40 million. The extensive network spans 715 miles across Floyd County, passing over 10,000 homes. Nearly 4,500 residents and businesses have connected to the 1 Gbps service.

"Our dedication extends beyond technology; it encompasses supporting education and healthcare initiatives in our community," Smith emphasized. "It is important to us that every home has sufficient broadband for their needs. We aim to provide reliable services that empower our customers and communities."

Floyd 540-745-2111 Ft. Chiswell 276-637-6485