As North Carolina forges ahead in its quest to bridge the digital divide, Governor Josh Stein has recently unveiled a substantial investment for the cause. In an announcement made yesterday, the Governor revealed the allocation of over $41 million in projects to expand high-speed internet to 11,816 households and businesses across 17 counties. "Connecting North Carolinians online helps strengthen our state," Governor Stein stated. "Broadband plays a crucial role in our development, and I look forward to seeing how these funds expand economic opportunities for people in every corner of North Carolina," as reported by the Governor's Office official website.
Indeed, internet access, now widely regarded as an essential utility, has historically been spotty or non-existent in vast swaths of the state. The completion of these projects will to directly impact thousands of residents, leveling the playing field for distant rural areas. "Internet access is a necessity in today’s world," remarked NCDIT Secretary and State Chief Information Officer Teena Piccione. "These grants will fund projects to provide that crucial access to residents in communities across the state," as per the Governor's Office.
The funding break up manifests with more than $29 million emanating from the federal American Rescue Plan, with the selected broadband providers pledging nearly $12.5 million. Projects span various counties, from extending internet access to 945 homes and businesses in Anson County via Windstream North Carolina, LLC, to Connect Holding II, LLC's projects which will cover 164 households in Carteret County and a notable 1,605 in Sampson County. Every selected provider commits to delivering high-speed service that reliably meets or exceeds speeds of 100 Mbps download and upload.
Laying out a vision for a more connected North Carolina, the CAB program not only symbolizes but practically enforces a partnership between counties and NCDIT to identify, propose, and to swiftly execute the provision of internet service. A testament to this is evident with the award now being trackable on NCDIT’s dashboard, showcasing details and progress on the various broadband expansion programs state-wide. This initiative is part of a larger, strategic push by Governor Stein to eradicate the digital divide, adding to already over $547 million in GREAT grants and previous CAB projects that aim to connect more than 200,000 North Carolinian households and businesses to high-speed internet.
