Rural internet providers are working diligently to install that last mile of broadband, says Garin Mayer, CEO and general manager of Vernon Communications Cooperative.  He defines the last mile as bringing fiber right to your doorstep. In the past six years, VCC has gotten nearly $14 million in grants to bring fiber to about 4,000 rural locations. The projects totaled nearly $23 million. But Mayer says without the support from state and federal broadband grants, rural projects are hard to justify. He also breaks down the timeline from when the grant check is cut to when your home has high-speed internet.