The Power of the Individual
What can one person do to help Accelerate Virginia? First, you can run the speed test on your Internet connection. Then use your social networks to spread the word about Accelerate Virginia. Encourage your friends and family across Virginia to run the speed test. Remember, given sufficient response and valid data points, end user input will help to verify the state broadband map and identify areas in need of affordable broadband infrastructure investment.
Be the start of something big. Connect with your local planning commission or town council to explore ways you can start a local speed mapping campaign in your community.
Community Campaigns
Contact your local Planning District Commission and ask them to help you initiate a regional speed testing campaign by contacting Accelerate Virginia. Planning districts can provide leadership and connections with local government, business, schools, health and safety facilities, residents, etc. Concentrating collection efforts in planning districts will allow eCorridors to give focused attention to geographically reasonable divisions of the state.
Identify a local champion to lead the campaign. An individual or committee with the presence of strong, dedicated leadership who understands the broadband imperative can coordinate a community speed test campaign. Ask them to contact Accelerate Virginia.
We want to help your community campaign be a success. Let us know how it is going. We offer training and other resources to help you and your community run a successful campaign.
Additional Resources
Virginia Regional Technologies Councils advocate for issues important to the growth and development of innovative technologies and technology-based organizations and communicate the economic importance of technology to Virginia's education, civic and business leaders. Ask your technology council to contact them.
Virginia companies like, Design Nine Inc., and others can help with telecommunication planning, design, and project management for broadband initiatives. On their website you can find free resources to help communities think about and plan for last mile broadband projects.
The Blacksburg Electronic Village (BEV), in partnership with the Virginia Cooperative Extension Agency, has documented the processes and developed a model for "Getting Rural Virginia Connected." These documents are the outcome of a Technology Opportunities Program grant and are available at the BEV Website. The website contains technology assessments, surveys, results and master plans developed by each participating county.Communications Toolkit
Sharing the news about Accelerate Virginia is easy with social media. Follow us on Twitter.
Create or share video testimonials about your own broadband success stories. Don't have broadband in your area? Let us know your concerns. Take a look at us on YouTube.
Prefer to send us your story via email? Send us a message via our email contact form.
Media Resources
For all media inquiries, please call (540) 231-2270. Email inquiries via our contact form. Please include your deadline in all messages. Your request will be routed to the appropriate staff person and you will be contacted as soon as possible.
Press Kit:
Accelerate Virginia Speed Test (BETA)
Help Accelerate Virginia map current Internet availability throughout the Commonwealth. Run the speed test and get an instant review of your broadband speed connection, as well as a survey of what others in your community are reporting.
