In a significant development for North Carolina’s digital landscape, Governor Josh Stein has revealed plans to roll out extensive broadband initiatives across the state. This comes on the heels of the final federal nod from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for the state’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) plan and budget. With $319 million in BEAD funding now available, North Carolina aims to enhance connectivity for over 93,000 homes, businesses, and community anchor institutions, marking a transformative step for the state.
Statewide Broadband Expansion Initiatives
The state’s broadband expansion efforts have gathered momentum with the approval of the BEAD program by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) in December. The program, managed by the NTIA nationally and the N.C. Department of Information Technology (NCDIT) at the state level, has allocated a substantial $1.53 billion to North Carolina. This initial funding of $319 million is set to kickstart a series of projects, underscoring North Carolina’s strategic focus on broadband growth.
Governor Josh Stein emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “Reliable high-speed internet opens doors of opportunity, helps businesses grow, connects people with health care, and strengthens our economy. These new projects will move us ever closer to connecting every household and community in the state with broadband.”
Driving Economic and Community Benefits
Nate Denny, NCDIT Secretary and State Chief Information Officer, highlighted the long-term benefits of enhanced internet access, noting, “Expanding high-speed internet access is foundational to North Carolina’s long-term economic competitiveness and residents’ quality of life. We are very excited to get to work bringing reliable access to every North Carolinian.”
Patrick Woodie, President and CEO of the NC Rural Center, spoke on the program’s potential to bridge the digital divide and boost rural economies, saying, “The BEAD program offers a once-in-a-generation investment to close the digital divide and unlock economic opportunity, educational access, and health care connectivity for rural North Carolina.”
Commitment to Connectivity
The significance of broadband access was further emphasized by Kevin Leonard, NCACC Executive Director. He remarked, “Broadband access has always been a defining priority for the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners and the counties we serve, and this BEAD approval is a powerful reflection of that long-standing commitment.”
Sara Nichols, Coalition Leader of the Blue Ridge Broadband Alliance, expressed optimism about the initiative’s implementation, “Connectivity is a critical component of making sure we all have access to the same resources. This important opportunity is a great next step to making sure every community – especially in our rural and mountainous regions – has access to reliable high-speed internet.”
Complementary Initiatives Underway
In addition to the BEAD program, NCDIT’s Division of Broadband and Digital Opportunity has launched nearly $700 million in broadband projects funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, targeting more than 257,000 homes, businesses, and community institutions for internet access by year-end. Furthermore, the division has distributed almost $50 million to support agencies and organizations statewide, facilitating the provision of 40,161 computers and digital skills training for 68,284 residents, thereby empowering communities with essential digital tools.
For further information on the BEAD program and North Carolina’s broadband initiatives, visit ncbroadband.gov.
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