The lack of available and affordable advanced telecommunication capacity and services in the NRV is the greatest barrier to the regions future social and economic well-being. As part of the strategy to promote economic development, educational and occupational opportunity, and health and safety initiatives in the New River Valley, the NRVPDC is leading an initiative to, design and deploy a public regional fiber optic network consisting of inter-county, intra-county, and local access points. Access to affordable advanced telecommunication infrastructure and services throughout the region is expected to create an economic engine for the New River Valley. The goal of this project is to attract and retain employers and employees, grow higher educational opportunities, support entrepreneurial spirit, foster community connectivity, improve emergency response and generally enhance the quality of life in the New River Valley region.