(Pittsylvania County, Va.) — Gov. Ralph Northam traveled to Pittsylvania County Monday to announce a new broadband initiative designed to expand service to rural Virginia.

Local leaders gathered at the Laurel Grove Volunteer Fire Department as Northam announced the appointment of a director and chief deputy for the initiative. Evan Feinman will spearhead the effort. Feinman, who now serves as executive director of the Virginia Tobacco Commission, will serve as as chief broadband advisor. Courtney Dozier, chief deputy with the Department of Housing and Community Development, was named chief deputy for the broadband initiative.

Northam said the state has quadrupled the amount of money committed to improving rural broadband to $8 million, while the Tobacco Commission has committed $11 million to the project.

The governor said he expects to see a major expansion in broadband availability by the time his four-year term ends.