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Governor Stein announces $41M broadband program for 17 NC counties

Governor Stein Unveils $41 Million Broadband Expansion Across 17 North Carolina Counties

Governor Josh Stein has announced a transformative $41 million investment to enhance broadband infrastructure, targeting digital equity and access across 17 underserved counties in North Carolina. The funding, part of a strategic push to close the connectivity gap, will accelerate high-speed internet access for thousands of rural residents and small businesses.

Counties set to benefit from this initiative include regions historically left behind in broadband development—where limited connectivity has slowed economic growth, remote learning, and telehealth services. By expanding fiber optic networks and upgrading local internet service capabilities, the program aims to deliver lasting change in the state’s rural digital landscape, ensuring more North Carolinians can participate fully in the digital economy.

Rewiring the Backbone: Why Strengthening Digital Infrastructure Matters

Defining Digital Infrastructure in the 21st Century

Digital infrastructure refers to the foundational technologies and systems that enable internet connectivity, data transmission, and access to digital services. It includes fiber-optic networks, wireless towers, data centers, and cloud computing platforms. Without this backbone, modern life—from telemedicine to remote learning to agricultural automation—stalls.

In today’s economy, communities rely on stable, high-speed internet the way they once depended on roadways and power lines. Reliable digital infrastructure supports everyday communication, fuels new industries, and connects residents to essential services. It's a core utility, not a luxury add-on.

Fueling Economic Growth Through Upgraded Connections

Infrastructure improvements don't just expand access—they unlock economic potential. Upgraded broadband systems catalyze job creation, foster entrepreneurship, and help small businesses compete in national and global markets.

According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), areas with improved broadband adoption experience higher employment growth. A 2020 analysis by the Brookings Institution concluded that every percentage point increase in broadband penetration correlates with a 0.2 to 0.3% growth in employment rates.

Modern manufacturing facilities, digital logistics platforms, and agri-tech ventures all depend on continuous, high-bandwidth connections. Infrastructure improvements reduce latency and increase reliability, which directly benefits private investment and job retention strategies across both urban and rural zones.

Long-Term Gains for Businesses and Households Alike

Faster, more accessible broadband reduces the friction of daily operations. For businesses, this means streamlined supply chains, better productivity tools, and real-time customer engagement. For households, it translates into broader educational opportunities, better telehealth access, and reduced commute costs through remote work integration.

Over time, these improvements compound. As connectivity reaches consistent levels across a region, real estate values stabilize, community retention improves, and younger generations are more likely to remain in or return to their hometowns after college—all because the digital infrastructure supports a modern standard of living.

Breaking Barriers: Bridging North Carolina’s Digital Divide with Broadband Expansion

Understanding the Digital Divide and Its Consequences

The digital divide refers to the gap between individuals and communities with reliable, high-speed internet access and those without. In North Carolina, this divide cuts deep, especially in rural and underserved areas. Households without broadband face systemic obstacles that hinder access to education, efficient health services, financial tools, and employment sectors increasingly tied to digital infrastructure.

Unlike mere inconvenience, lack of internet access translates into measurable disadvantages. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) reported in 2023 that households without broadband are less likely to be employed full-time or engaged in workforce training. For school-aged children, this gap magnifies inequities: students without home internet score lower in assessments and show reduced academic performance over time.

Closing the Gap with Strategic Broadband Access

Broadband expansion doesn't just connect homes — it unlocks access to resources that influence success. When communities receive high-speed internet, participation in online education platforms, telehealth consultations, and remote job markets becomes possible. According to a 2022 Pew Research Center survey, 71% of rural residents say broadband is essential for participating in basic daily activities, including applying for jobs, completing homework, or accessing government services.

In counties where broadband becomes universally available, the effects follow quickly. High school graduation rates improve, adult learners engage in online skill-building courses, and small business owners use digital tools to expand their reach. The result isn't just more connectivity — it’s upward mobility.

Driving Economic and Educational Access Through Internet Connectivity

Equipped with broadband, students gain frictionless access to tools like Google Classroom, Zoom, and Khan Academy. North Carolina’s Department of Public Instruction observed a 24% increase in digital learning engagement in broadband-enabled districts between 2021 and 2023. This access fuels improved participation and performance that lays the foundation for long-term educational success.

On the workforce front, employers are increasingly reliant on digital platforms for interviews, training, and day-to-day operations. The North Carolina Department of Commerce found that, in 2022, over 40% of job postings in rural counties required digital literacy skills. Without broadband, residents remain locked out of these opportunities. With it, they begin to compete, contribute, and climb.

Momentum builds when digital barriers fall. With Governor Stein’s initiative targeting 17 counties, the broadband expansion directly supports regions where the digital divide has been historically deepest. The choice is deliberate, the impact measurable.

The Plight of Rural Connectivity in North Carolina Counties

Underserved and Offline: A Data-Driven Look at Rural Broadband Gaps

In North Carolina, rural communities remain consistently behind their urban counterparts in broadband coverage, speed, and affordability. According to the North Carolina Department of Information Technology’s 2023 Broadband Availability Index, approximately 22% of rural residents do not have access to high-speed internet that meets the FCC’s minimum standards of 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload. In comparison, only 1.5% of urban residents face similar shortages.

The disparity is reinforced by national reports. The FCC’s 2022 Broadband Deployment Report revealed that nearly 40% of households in very rural North Carolina counties like Hyde, Graham, and Tyrrell lack adequate broadband access. Remote terrain, low population density, and insufficient private investment contribute to these gaps, compounding economic, educational, and healthcare disadvantages in those regions.

Everyday Realities: When Connectivity Becomes a Daily Barrier

How the New Grant Program Changes the Landscape

Governor Stein’s $41 million initiative prioritizes unserved and underserved regions across 17 counties, directing funds to areas with the most persistent infrastructure gaps. The program channels grants through the Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) initiative, which partners with certified internet service providers to build last-mile infrastructure. That strategy accelerates deployment in hard-to-reach areas.

Projects will install gigabit-speed fiber networks that vastly outperform legacy DSL or satellite options still common in many rural NC homes. With investments targeted by precise state-level broadband maps, implementation focuses on densifying coverage in neighborhoods currently lacking any high-speed provider. That means a household in Sampson County may go from zero wired options to fiber-backed 1 Gbps service in a single grant cycle.

Deployment timelines vary, but grantees must meet specific milestones and begin service delivery within 24 months. Oversight mechanisms—tied to speed testing, customer adoption goals, and geographic reach—ensure the program delivers measurable improvements to rural residents.

Strategic Public Investment: How Government Funding Drives Broadband Access

Breaking Down the $41M Investment

Governor Josh Stein’s broadband initiative channels $41 million in targeted funding to accelerate high-speed internet deployment across 17 counties in North Carolina. This financial commitment stems from a combination of federal and state-level resources, including the American Rescue Plan (ARP) and the North Carolina GREAT Grant program.

According to the North Carolina Department of Information Technology, the GREAT Grant aims to expand broadband access in underserved areas by providing matching grants to internet service providers. In this case, providers must contribute at least 35% of project costs, multiplying the state’s fiscal input into a broader infrastructure push. With this model, the $41 million in state and federal dollars will catalyze a total investment that exceeds $63 million when matched by private partners.

Governor Stein’s Policy Blueprint for Tech Investment

Governor Stein’s track record reflects a consistent alignment of infrastructure spending with equity-driven technology policy. His administration has prioritized digital inclusion by explicitly targeting counties with significant broadband gaps and historically lower connectivity rates. Policies under his oversight leverage budget surpluses and resource allocations from Washington to ensure rural and low-income communities gain access to the digital economy.

Under Stein’s leadership, North Carolina adopted a strategy that integrates data mapping, community outreach, and competitive grant-making. Notably, funding decisions are based on granular connectivity data rather than general assumptions about county-wide access. This data-centric approach not only increases accountability but also enables tailored deployment that addresses localized needs.

Performance History of Government-Funded Access Programs

Results from earlier state-led broadband initiatives provide insight into what this latest wave of funding might achieve. The previous rounds of the GREAT Grant program, launched in 2018, have awarded over $260 million and facilitated broadband access to approximately 140,000 households and businesses as of 2023, according to reports from the N.C. Department of Information Technology.

However, performance varied across regions. While many counties saw network build-outs reach completion ahead of schedule, others lagged due to logistical obstacles such as permit delays, terrain challenges, or lack of provider engagement. Governance structures that encouraged local government collaboration with ISPs, such as county-level broadband task forces, consistently outperformed regions where such partnerships were absent.

These case studies underscore the variable outcomes of public access projects and the necessity for flexible, responsive governance models. Governor Stein’s current $41 million investment builds on these lessons, embedding performance benchmarks directly into grant agreements to maximize deployment efficiency and impact.

Shaping a Digital-First North Carolina: Governor Stein’s Strategic Vision

Policy as Infrastructure: Stein’s Long-Term Strategy

Governor Josh Stein has embedded broadband access into the structural framework of North Carolina’s economic development agenda. His administration approaches internet infrastructure not as a standalone tech upgrade, but as a platform for future-proofing education, health care, commerce, and civic participation. Rather than treating broadband as a utility alone, Stein's policies reframe it as a cornerstone of competitive advantage for the state’s communities.

The recently announced $41 million broadband expansion—targeted at 17 underserved counties—follows a body of strategic initiatives designed to bridge digital inequity while amplifying economic potential. Previous fiscal cycles under Stein have consistently elevated broadband to a top-tier policy item, leveraging targeted grant programs, workforce training incentives, and zoning simplifications that prioritize last-mile connectivity buildouts.

Linking Access to Economic Performance

Policy decisions under Stein’s administration directly interface with quantifiable development goals. According to a 2022 report from the NC Department of Information Technology, every dollar invested in broadband access within underserved communities generates between $2.50 and $4.00 in regional economic returns over a 5-year period. That multiplier includes increased job creation via remote work adoption, improved small business competitiveness, and enhanced educational attainment—all outcomes rising from foundational digital access.

Monthly broadband speeds have improved across key target zones since 2021, while median household incomes in counties benefiting from the G.R.E.A.T. Grant series—championed by Stein—have shown sharper upticks than peer regions. The correlation between infrastructure deployment and economic output remains statistically significant, prompting policy analysts to define broadband not only as an enabler but as a fiscal accelerator.

Blueprint for Replication Beyond Borders

North Carolina’s model, under Stein’s directive, is gaining attention beyond state lines. The deliberate blend of competitive grant mechanisms, public-private collaboration, and rural-first prioritization forms an actionable blueprint for similarly positioned states. Industry think tanks—including the Pew Charitable Trusts and the Benton Institute—have flagged North Carolina’s approach as a prime case study in aggressive digital equity policy grounded in economic pragmatism.

What metrics are driving that attention? Deployment timelines have shrunk by nearly 18% statewide since 2020, permitting backlogs have decreased through inter-agency digital streamlining, and operator participation in state RFPs has increased by over 30%. These operational shifts reflect a leadership style that seeks measurable outcomes over abstract advocacy.

What Comes Next for NC’s Digital Trajectory?

How do these policy levers shape long-term competitiveness? Will other states follow a similar path, or diverge toward alternate models? As North Carolina places connectivity at the root of its growth schema, Stein’s broadband-focused administration continues to realign the role of state leadership in technological expansion policies. That’s shaping not just fiber routes, but futures.

Broadband as an Economic Multiplier: Local Gains, Statewide Impact

Direct and Indirect Economic Ripples

High-speed internet infrastructure functions as both a public utility and a private-sector catalyst. With Governor Stein announcing a $41 million broadband initiative across 17 North Carolina counties, the immediate economic implications translate into job creation during deployment phases—installation, construction, engineering, and support services all demand skilled labor.

According to a 2023 report by the NC Department of Information Technology, every $1 invested in broadband expansion returns approximately $4 in long-term economic benefits. These include higher property values, lower unemployment rates, and increased per capita income. Faster connections raise efficiency across sectors—agriculture, health care, manufacturing, and education—by reducing transaction costs and enabling wider market access.

Indirectly, improved connectivity encourages remote work and attracts telecommuters, particularly from urban centers seeking lower housing costs without sacrificing digital access. For rural communities historically sidelined from tech-driven growth, broadband offers a definitive entry point into the larger state and national economy.

Entrepreneurship and Innovation Expand with Coverage

Reliable broadband lays the groundwork for tech-enabled entrepreneurship in unlikely places. A 2022 survey by the NC TECH Association found that 58% of rural small businesses reported plans to digitize operations if high-speed internet became accessible. New ventures—whether agritech startups leveraging IoT devices or virtual storefronts selling handmade goods—can emerge when infrastructure no longer limits digital reach.

Co-working spaces once limited to urban hubs are beginning to appear in rural precincts where broadband is available. These hubs catalyze idea exchange and collaboration, often transforming former textile buildings or empty retail space into centers of innovation.

Moreover, educational institutions can launch coding bootcamps, open source labs, and e-learning initiatives once broadband gaps are closed. This shapes a digitally literate workforce capable of filling the jobs created by the very same infrastructure expansion.

When broadband arrives, economic activity doesn't just follow—it amplifies. Markets expand, ideas scale, and barriers crumble. For the 17 counties embedded in Stein’s program, the digital future integrates directly with commercial possibility.

Mapping the Impact: The 17 NC Counties Set to Gain From the $41M Broadband Program

Counties on the Map for Transformation

Governor Josh Stein's new $41 million broadband initiative targets 17 North Carolina counties, all currently grappling with limited high-speed internet access. These counties include:

Population Demographics and Current Broadband Penetration

Each of these counties shares a common challenge: underserved or unserved households suffering from limited digital infrastructure. For instance, as of 2023:

The counties selected for this funding show a consistent pattern: smaller populations, predominantly rural geographies, and a lack of robust private sector investment in internet service infrastructure. Many of the residents fall below the state median income, further complicating access due to affordability barriers.

What Changes When Broadband Reaches These Communities

With the $41 million allocation, the program will extend high-speed internet to approximately 25,000 new households and businesses. Here's what that means on the ground:

Implementation will rely on last-mile fiber buildouts, new wireless towers in harder-to-reach terrains, and strategic partnerships between internet service providers and local governments. Each county enters implementation with tailored infrastructure strategies based on current coverage mapping and census data. The clear objective: connect where no one else has.

Navigating Internet Access Policies: Challenges and Solutions

Current Policy Limitations and Roadblocks

North Carolina's framework for broadband access balances federal guidance, state-level initiatives, and local governance. Despite this structure, longstanding gaps persist—especially in how regulations impact infrastructure buildout. Restrictions on municipal broadband networks, for example, have stalled expansion in underserved areas. Under GS § 160A-340, cities face limitations on owning and operating broadband services, curbing their ability to fill private sector voids.

Additionally, the permitting process for broadband construction often spans several months. Multiple jurisdictions and overlapping authorities extend timelines and inflate costs. Challenges in rights-of-way access and utility pole attachments compound these delays. When state policy doesn't align with digital infrastructure needs, deployment efficiency takes a hit—slowing coverage in rural regions and economically disadvantaged communities.

How the $41M Initiative Integrates with Broader Policy Goals

Governor Stein's $41 million broadband program injects federal dollars through the Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) Grant program. While the funding marks a significant investment, its strategic alignment with policy matters just as much. The initiative streamlines application reviews and prioritizes unserved areas in its criteria—addressing the procedural bottlenecks that have hindered progress for years.

The program also demonstrates a shift in policy instruments, emphasizing performance-based grants. Funding isn't disbursed for promises alone; providers must meet speed, reliability, and affordability benchmarks to secure contracts. This leans on accountability rather than assumptions, altering how public funds drive outcomes.

Revising Policies to Support Long-Term Access

Modernizing internet access policy requires tackling decades-old statutes that no longer reflect the technological landscape. Rural broadband now depends on flexibility in funding use, regional planning authority, and simplified permitting. Adjustments to occupational licensing laws, for instance, can also accelerate the training of fiber optics technicians—adding workforce capacity to meet deployment demands.

The $41 million program sets immediate objectives, but without lasting policy reform, its scalability remains limited. Forward-leaning legislation and regulatory adaptability will unlock the full potential of this and future initiatives. How will North Carolina position itself to ensure these investments endure? That’s the next policy frontier.

The Promise of Public-Private Partnerships

Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are set to play a central role in the implementation of the $41 million broadband expansion program just announced by Governor Josh Stein. These collaborations will drive the build-out of high-speed internet infrastructure across 17 underserved counties in North Carolina, leveraging the strengths of both government leadership and private sector expertise.

Why Public-Private Collaboration Works

Private internet service providers bring technical capabilities, workforce, and innovation. Public agencies offer funding, regulatory support, and a focus on equitable access. Together, they create a delivery model that reduces risk, accelerates build timelines, and ensures accountability to the communities being served.

In broadband projects, this shared responsibility increases the efficiency of fund allocation. Public entities can direct investments based on need, while private partners deliver the infrastructure that meets or exceeds technical standards like symmetrical speeds and low latency. That’s how fiber reaches communities where market conditions alone wouldn't support the investment.

Successful Models in Action

What’s on the Horizon Under Governor Stein’s Plan

Private sector engagement is expected to intensify during this funding cycle. Governor Stein has made it clear that projects demonstrating strong provider partnerships will be prioritized. Anticipated ventures include:

These partnerships are more than project logistics—they reflect a strategic approach that harnesses combined public intent and private capacity. The result: sustainable, scalable broadband access where it's needed most.

Shifting the Digital Landscape in 17 NC Counties

The $41 million broadband investment, announced by Governor Stein, marks a definitive shift for 17 counties historically left behind in North Carolina’s digital connectivity. This program will not only upgrade broadband infrastructure but also reshape how communities, schools, healthcare providers, and small businesses access and use digital tools.

Residents in counties like Bertie, Greene, and Swain—where reliable internet had long been elusive—will experience tangible changes. Faster internet speeds will allow students to complete assignments online without interruption. Health professionals will extend telehealth services to remote patients. Entrepreneurs can launch e-commerce ventures from locations once deemed off the grid.

Already, regional officials report higher engagement from ISPs and community stakeholders since the announcement. In one interview, Linda Garson, a small business owner in Halifax County, shared, "For the first time, we’re optimistic about competing beyond our ZIP code. High-speed internet levels the playing field." Her voice echoes across rural NC, where connectivity has too often dictated opportunity.

Explore the interactive map below to view which counties are being transformed and track program milestones on the timeline section. The graphical snapshots showcasing coverage before and projected after implementation vividly underline the scale of advancement.

Community involvement remains central. Residents and business owners across these counties can stay connected to developments by reaching out to program coordinators or joining local broadband advisory boards. Questions about eligibility, rollout dates, or participation in infrastructure deployment? Visit the state broadband office contact page for immediate support.

Policies can set direction, funding provides momentum, but people drive transformation. Stay engaged. The future of digital North Carolina doesn’t just unfold—it’s built, county by county, connection by connection.