In 1979, the Cumberland Planning District Commission created the Cumberland Plateau Company (CPC), a Virginia non-stock, not-for-profit corporation, for the purpose of owning real property, raising funds, and performing other activities not prohibited by Virginia laws.

Until recently, the Cumberland Plateau Company's primary focus was developing high-tech infrastructure for our constituent counties -- Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell, and Tazewell.

By partnering with Bristol Virginia Utility’s OptiNet service in 2004 to form CPC Optinet, the Company obtained nearly $50 million in 100 percent grant funding for the construction of a 700 mile fiber optic backbone and middle mile fiber network. In August 2018, BVU sold its assets -- including its 50 percent ownership in CPC Optinet, to the company ITC, recently rebranded as Point Broadband. 

Correspondingly, CPC Optinet is now known as Cumberland Plateau Broadband, and our co-owned network is now serving over 800 industrial, commercial, governmental and educational institutions in the region. These customers, including CGI, Northrup Grumman, Sykes, Pyott-Boone and Dickenson County Public Schools, are employing thousands of people and/or enhancing K-12 opportunities for students.

Further efforts to deploy fiber to residential customers in our area have also been successful thanks to our ability to leverage public-private partnerships. Point Broadband committed to invest $7 million to a New Connection Fund for residential service in the CPC counties as part of the Operating Agreement with CPC. As of 2026, over 90% of the residents of our region have access to fiber optic internet, and expansion is continuing until universal residential coverage is achieved.

In 2024, the CPC Executive Board set its sights on tackling another major issue -- the housing crisis, and particularly the need for new workforce housing, as affordable housing options for middle-income residents are severely lacking in our region. 

Much like the need for high-speed internet, affordable workforce housing is a keystone to economic development and recovery efforts. Too many members of our workforce face issues of housing availability, quality, and pricing. In turn, when a region's housing market is in distress, employers find it tough to open up new operations or expand their existing businesses. 

The Cumberland Plateau Company hopes to continue its record of success by filling a critical role in the region: providing low- and medium-density housing development for working individuals and families.