A significant shift in communication union districts may be underway that could help with the long-sought roll-out

A significant shift in communication union districts may be underway that could help with the long-sought roll-out of high-speed internet to the state’s unserved areas. On Thursday, the governing boards of NEK Broadband and Central Vermont Fiber approved a preliminary merger plan between the two CUDs, which kicks off a process that would result in the formation of Northeast Central Broadband. NC Broadband would combine the 51 towns of NEK Broadband with the 20 towns of CV Fiber, which abuts NEK Broadband’s territory and stretches from Cabot to Duxbury, including Montpelier and Barre. The two CUDs held back-to-back meetings so the governing bodies could independently advance the plan that results with a final merger vote in mid-August, according to the merger timeline. While NEK Broadband is the largest in the state regarding geographic area and the total number of member towns, CV Fiber is roughly equivalent in population. “This has been a lot of work,” said Christa Shute, Executive Director of NEK Broadband, of the months-long process that led to Thursday night’s votes. CV Fiber and NEK Broadband had been exploring the possibility through the diligence of several working groups formed by the CUDs’ staff and board members. “First and foremost, we see this as 71 towns that are committed to providing universal service to all of the under-served locations in our communities and to do that most efficiently and cost-effectively that will benefit our towns,” said Shute.