The Vermont Communications Union Districts Association (VCUDA) board voted today to appoint Laura Sibilia of Dover to the newly established Vermont Community Broadband Board (VCBB). The Board was created through Act 71, An act relating to accelerated community broadband deployment, to assist and accelerate community efforts to achieve universal access to reliable, high-speed broadband service. The Board will be responsible for awarding grants and assisting the Communications Union Districts (CUDs) in their planning, development, and implementation of broadband projects.
“Representative Sibilia’s work on the House Energy and Technology Committee crafting Act 71 was only the latest of the great work she’s done on behalf of Vermont’s CUDs. She understands our mission and the variety of challenges faced by the different districts. We’re excited to have her voice on the new board.” said F. X. Flinn, VCUDA President.
Sibilia represents the Windham – Bennington district, which includes the towns of Dover, Readsboro, Searsburg, Somerset, Stamford, Wardsboro and Whitingham. Laura is one of five independents serving in the Vermont House, and was first elected to the Vermont House in 2014. She currently serves on the Joint Information Technology Oversight Committee for the Vermont Legislature, and is the Vice Chair of the House Energy and Technology Committee.
“Every day hundreds of regular Vermonters are working cooperatively across towns and regions to get broadband to their neighbors. These CUDs have many common technical, financial and legal needs and the Vermont Community Broadband Board was established to put in place supports that will aid all of Vermont’s CUDS,” said Laura Sibilia. “The Speaker, the Pro Tem and the Governor have appointed Vermonters with deep technical knowledge on rural utilities and cooperatives to the board. I’m honored that VCUDA has asked me to be their appointee and I am looking forward to getting to work with Christine, Patty, Dan, Holly and Brian.”
The Board and its work will be supported by $150 million from the federal American Rescue Act Plan (ARPA) that has been placed in the Vermont Community Broadband Fund. The new Fund and Board will be housed within the Department of Public Service. The first meeting of the Board will occur the week of August 9.
The Vermont Communications Union Districts Association consists of the nine CUD municipalities that have formed in Vermont since 2016 and is modeled on the Vermont League of Cities and Towns. VCUDA seeks to provide a forum for CUDs to exchange ideas, seek opportunities, and develop programs for the mutual benefit of the districts.