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.