BARC Connects fiber broadband is celebrating a huge milestone last month of 5,000 customers connected to its world-class fiber broadband services.

BARC Connects is a wholly-owned broadband subsidiary of BARC Electric Cooperative, providing fiber-to-the-premise service, including high-speed internet and phone, to Virginia consumers in Bacova, Brattons Run, Bustleburg, Cornwall, Effinger, Estaline, Fairfield, Falling Springs, Glasgow, Hot Springs, Lexington and Warm Springs.

BARC Connects’ 5,000 connection, “The Hairstyling Shop” in Hot Springs,Va.

BARC Connects broke ground on the project in 2017 and began mainline construction building infrastructure to bring world-class internet service to the communities the co-op serves. BARC Connects began connecting consumers in early 2018 and continue connecting both traditional electric service consumers and non-BARC electric consumers with dependable broadband service that previously only existed in densely populated metropolitan areas.

BARC Connects celebrated the company’s achievement with it’s 5,000th customer, Fern Plecker, a small business owner in Bath County. Plecker owns The Hairstyling Shop in Hot Springs, Va. “The Hairstyling Shop is very excited to have great internet,” says Plecker. “BARC Connects has been good to us.”

Camp Mont Shenandoah business manager, Katie Stites, says, “BARC Connects provides reliable, first-class service so that Camp Mont Shenandoah can continue to provide a bright future for generations of young women.”

The Virginia Horse Center, located in Lexington, Va., has recently partnered with BARC Connects. Manager Matt Crookshanks says that having BARC Connects high-speed internet has allowed their shows to better utilize iPads for faster scoring and live streams.

According to Ecco Adesso Vineyards, BARC Connects has supported the family business since its inception in 2020. As a farm winery with on-site vineyard cottages, reliable high-speed internet is crucial for operations and providing guests with excellent service.

Philip Clayton, of Lexington, said in 2015, “I learned that phase one of construction would come near, but miss our small neighborhood on House Mountain. I immediately started calling, emailing and physically visiting our neighbors. I was able to obtain 53 potential households that indicated they would be interested. Modifications of the initial map of construction we made to include our neighborhood. We’ve enjoyed high-speed internet and phone service since 2019 and have been very pleased with both!”

Maggie Anderson, of Millboro, said “We are so lucky to live in BARC country. Moving here from California (where you wait for everything, have to make appointments weeks in advance, and things cost an arm and a leg), I love my BARC. We get quality, high-speed internet for a fraction of the cost in other areas. If you call on the phone, you get tech support and customer service quickly and efficiently. I feel we matter as customers, and they strive to provide us with the best.”

BARC Connects CEO Bill Buchanan says, “BARC Connects has achieved this milestone through the power of this strong community, our entire team, and partnerships working together to connect and transform the lives of rural Virginia. We are grateful to our loyal customers and businesses for their support and trust in BARC Connects.”

BARC Connects Supports Freedom Food Festival

Mother Nature cooperated and provided sunny weather for the 2024 Freedom Food Festival held July 3 on Main Street in downtown Lexington. The competition was hot, as eight nonprofit organizations teamed up with local kitchens and caterers for an Independence Day cook-off, offering attendees choices from a wide variety of meals. The music was rocking with local and regional bands, including S.J. McDonald, Love Canon and Will Reid. Attendance was high, and the festival sold over 2,000 meal tickets.

To ensure the nonprofits could quickly verify QR-code meal tickets and complete credit card transactions on site, consistent wi-fi was needed along Main Street. BARC Connects installed numerous “hot spots,” providing a strong connection and allowing for hundreds of financial transactions to occur simultaneously.

“BARC Connects provided excellent customer service,” states Patty Williams, director of marketing for Rockbridge Regional Tourism. “A couple nonprofits were experiencing a weak connection. BARC rushed over and installed another router on Nelson Street just before the festival kicked off. The nonprofits reported service was great and was a huge improvement from the previous year.”

To learn more on area events and tourism, visit lexingtonvirginia.com.

BARC Connects is happy to help support our local community events. If you’re interested in wi-fi to help support your event and vendor needs, contact Billy Reid at 1-800-846-2272.

Public Statement: Preparing for Tropical Storm Debby – August 8, 2024

Dear Valued Members of BARC:

As Tropical Storm Debby approaches, bringing with it significant rain and potentially isolated, strong winds, we want to assure you that our teams are fully prepared and ready to respond. However, due to the severity of the storm, we anticipate the potential for extended power outages in our service area. Our highest priority during this time is the safety of our members, customers, employees, and the community.

Safety is Our Top Priority

Your safety is of utmost importance to us. We strongly encourage everyone to take the necessary precautions to protect yourselves, your families, and your property. Please pay close attention to weather updates and follow any evacuation orders or safety advisories issued by local authorities.

Tips for Staying Safe During the Storm

• 1. Prepare an Emergency Kit: Make sure you have an emergency kit ready, including flashlights, batteries, non-perishable food, water, medications, and first aid supplies. Please have a back-up plan or place for medical necessities that require power and work with local authorities.
• 2. Charge Your Devices: Charge all your essential devices, such as mobile phones, ahead of the storm. Consider having portable chargers or power banks on hand.
• 3. Avoid Flooded Areas: Stay away from areas that are prone to flooding. Do not attempt to walk or drive through flooded roads, as water depth and currents can be deceptive and dangerous. TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN
• 4. Stay Indoors: Stay inside your home or a safe shelter during the storm. Keep away from windows and doors to avoid injury from broken glass or flying debris.
• 5. Turn Off Electrical Appliances: Unplug sensitive electronic equipment to protect them from potential power surges. If flooding is imminent, turn off power at the main breaker.
• 6. Generators: If you use a generator, make sure it is installed properly and used in a well-ventilated area to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Never operate a generator indoors or in an enclosed space. https://barcelectric.com/generator-safety/
• 7. Stay Informed: Keep informed by listening to local news and weather updates on the radio or through your mobile device.
• 8. Avoid downed power lines and walking through flooded areas where power lines could be submerged. Allow ample room for utility crews to safely perform their jobs, including on your property.

Restoration Efforts

Current projections indicate BARC Electric service territory will begin to experience significant rain Thursday afternoon. The rain and wind are expected to continue through the night and start to dimmish around midday Friday. Our crews will begin restoration efforts as soon as it is safe to do so. Please understand that severe weather conditions may delay our ability to restore power immediately. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work to restore service as quickly and safely as possible.

Communication During the Outage

We will keep you updated on restoration progress through our website and social media channels. If you experience a fiber outage, please report it to our customer service line at 1-800-846-BARC (2272)

FOR EMERGENCY SITUATIONS, PLEASE DIAL 911.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we navigate through Tropical Storm Debby together. Please stay safe and take all necessary precautions.

Sincerely,

BARC