Best way to accomplish this task?

We have an access database, which is being used by multiple police departments.  The database is split front-end/back-end.  The backend sits on the department's servers.  The front-end sits on the client machine with a .txt file that shows the path to the backend.  The front-ends are not installed in the same directory on each client.

I am creating a vb.net application which will do some importing into the access database.  Since each department has different locations where the front end and back end sit, what would the easiest way to get the location of the backend so I can connect to it through the vb.net and accomplish what I need to do?

Do I do a search for the .txt file that shows the location of the back-end?  I believe that would take a long time to accomplish.  Do I create an application for each department individually?  I would rather stay away from that due to update on future code.