Gov. Lombardo Visits Valley Electric in Pahrump, Announces $3.89M Broadband Award

Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo visited Valley Electric Association’s Pahrump offices to spotlight the member-owned co-op’s role in delivering power and high-speed internet to rural Nevada, meeting with CEO Robby Hamlin and the association’s board. Lombardo expressed appreciation for their connectivity efforts during the visit, which officials used to highlight Valley Electric’s broadband work through its Valley Broadband operation.

Valley Electric Association operates Valley Broadband and serves rural Nevada communities as a member-owned cooperative. Valley Electric was identified as a BEAD awardee and is slated to receive $3.89 million to expand internet service offerings; one report described the allocation as just over $3.89 million. The reported award amount is subject to federal approval, and the funding remains pending at the federal level.

Robby Hamlin attended the Pahrump meeting with the Valley Electric board while Governor Lombardo focused attention on the intersection of electric co-op infrastructure and rural internet access. The gathering emphasized the utility’s dual role delivering electricity and high-speed internet rather than providing technical project details at the time of the visit.

The announced $3.89 million is described in available reporting as targeted to expand Valley Broadband’s service, but no specifics were provided at the meeting or in accompanying summaries. The sources do not list the number of households or businesses to be served, the proposed technology or speeds, a construction timeline, or matching-fund commitments tied to the award.

Lombardo’s appearance followed statewide messaging about significant broadband funding, and Valley Electric’s listing as a BEAD awardee places the co-op among entities tapped for expansion dollars. The co-op’s status as member-owned underscores local governance: Valley Electric’s board participated in the Pahrump meeting alongside CEO Hamlin while state leadership acknowledged the cooperative’s connectivity work.

Federal approval remains the outstanding step before funds can be deployed, and Valley Electric has not provided an award packet, project scope, or implementation schedule in the materials tied to the visit. Until the federal sign-off and a formal project plan are released, the $3.89 million allocation is slated but not finalized, and Valley Broadband customers should expect further announcements from Valley Electric and state or federal broadband offices about next steps and timelines.