Judy Rowe of Grimstead has spent years fighting to bring broadband to Mathews County. She attended school board and supervisors’ meetings, talked to legislators, and made numerous phone calls to cable and Wi-Fi companies. All seemed to fall on deaf ears.

Then two years ago something changed. The Mathews County Board of Supervisors, faced with yet another desperate appeal from Rowe, agreed to establish a Broadband Advisory Board and make Rowe its chairman. That was all she needed, and she hasn’t stopped since.

Rowe immediately began to pull together a diverse group of individuals to form the core of the board, along with additional people with interests in various areas that would benefit from broadband. Crucially, Rob Quartel, a businessman and entrepreneur with experience in cyber technology, offered his help, and Rowe had all she needed to forge ahead.

Since it was established, the board has sponsored a community-wide survey to determine the need for Wi-Fi and won four majo...