has acted favorably to fund technology grants to install fiber optic infrastructure bringing much needed broadband internet to areas of SouthWestern Virginia. As current vice chairman of the Virginia Tobacco Commission, Kilgore was pleased with the Commission’s decision to award $16.3 million in technology grants to the state of Virginia for the 2009 financial year, $8.4 million of which goes to projects in SouthWestern Virginia. Kilgore stated that these grants are yet another important step that the Tobacco Commission has taken to ensure that citizens in SouthWestern Virginia are connected to fiber optic cables and have access to high speed internet. Kilgore added, “These investments by the Commission will enhance the broadband delivery services in these areas and will allow individuals and businesses to further utilize the capabilities of the internet.” Kilgore announced that LENOWISCO, Inc was awarded funding for the Fiber Backbone Last Mile project in the amount of $1.25 million dollars. This will allow LENOWISCO to construct 13 miles of backbone fiber and install 210 last mile user connections, providing services to the areas of St. Charles and Monarch in Lee County. Scott County Telephone Cooperative was awarded $1.25 million, making it possible for Scott County Co-Op to build additional fiber optic gigabyte ring to serve 930 residents and 70 businesses from East Gate City to Big Moccasin and Rt. 23 to Yuma Road locations, and providing increased Redundancy for the two networks.A member of the Commission since its founding by the General Assembly in 1999, Delegate Kilgore noted, “A broadband initiative has been very important to the Tobacco Commission and it will continue to help us create jobs and recruit businesses to our area.” To date, the Commission has awarded 1,049 grants totaling More than $501.9 million across the tobacco region of the Commonwealth, and has provided $234 million in indemnification payments to tobacco growers and quota holders. Its mission is the promotion of economic growth and development in tobacco-dependent communities, using proceeds of the national tobacco settlement. Delegate Terry G. Kilgore (R-1st), of Gate City, represents Scott County, Lee County and parts of Washington and Wise Counties.