North Carolina Announces $22 Million in Broadband Grant Awards to Expand Internet Access Statewide

The North Carolina Department of Information Technology’s (NCDIT) Division of Broadband and Digital Equity has awarded $22 million in grants, reinforcing its commitment to close the digital divide. Through strategic funding and infrastructure coordination, this office leads the state's broadband strategy, ensuring every North Carolinian—no matter their ZIP code—has access to high-speed internet. With a clearly defined mission to achieve universal digital equity and inclusion, the division oversees implementation of broadband projects, partnerships with service providers, and policy alignment. These new awards represent a targeted investment in unserved and underserved communities, reinforcing the office's broader goal of delivering scalable, future-proof connectivity across the state.

Breaking Down the $22 Million Broadband Grant Awards in North Carolina

State and Federal Funding Sources Power New Infrastructure

North Carolina’s latest round of broadband investment brings $22 million to underserved communities, funded through a strategic blend of federal and state resources. The majority of this funding originates from federal pandemic relief programs, particularly the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The state's contribution supplements this federal influx through targeted allocations approved by the North Carolina General Assembly.

Distribution Mechanism and County-Level Impact

The $22 million will support 17 broadband expansion projects across 12 counties. Funding is administered under the state's Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) Grant Program, managed by the N.C. Department of Information Technology's Broadband Infrastructure Office. Matching funds from private internet service providers are also required, increasing the total value of these projects beyond the state's allocation.

Each selected project received an award ranging between $300,000 and $4 million, depending on the scope, geographic coverage, and population served. The grants target Tier 1 and Tier 2 counties, which are classified as economically distressed under state criteria. This combined approach ensures the funds address areas with both demonstrated broadband deficiencies and the greatest economic need.

Types of Projects and Services Funded

The initiatives funded through this round focus primarily on extending fiber-optic Internet to residential and small business locations currently lacking access to reliable high-speed service. Some grants include provisions for fixed wireless deployments in geographically challenging areas, though fiber remains the dominant technology supported.

Eligible expenses covered by the grants include:

• Installation of last-mile fiber infrastructure
• Upgrades to core network nodes for greater capacity
• Customer premises equipment (CPE) for connection readiness
• Testing and validation of broadband speeds

Projects are required to deliver minimum download/upload speeds of 100/20 Mbps, with scalable infrastructure supporting gigabit service where feasible. Completion deadlines are set within an 18-month window, preserving project momentum and accountability.

Bridging Gaps: The Drive for Digital Inclusion and Connectivity

Addressing the Digital Divide in North Carolina

North Carolina’s digital divide reflects a stark contrast between urban and rural access to reliable internet. According to the Federal Communications Commission’s 2021 Broadband Deployment Report, approximately 1.1 million North Carolinians still lack access to broadband. Most of those without high-speed internet live outside of metropolitan areas, with pockets of unserved households scattered throughout Appalachian counties, the Sandhills, and parts of the eastern coastal plain.

In communities where fiber lines stop at town limits, students can’t submit homework online, job seekers miss virtual opportunities, and telemedicine becomes unattainable. This disparity reinforces socioeconomic barriers, making connectivity not just a tech issue—but a foundational equity concern.

Strategies for Ensuring Equitable Access to the Internet

• Infrastructure-first initiatives: The state's efforts prioritize last-mile connectivity, ensuring that service extends beyond population centers into underserved regions. These initiatives often focus on fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) deployments in census blocks identified through granular mapping.
• Cost mitigation through subsidies: The creation of affordability programs, such as subsidies for low-income households and discounts for students and seniors, helps ensure that availability leads to adoption.
• Community-based digital literacy programs: Internet access alone doesn't close the divide. Training programs in libraries, schools, and local non-profits equip residents with the skills needed to navigate online resources—from basic browsing to telehealth usage and digital security awareness.
• Mapping and data transparency: By integrating broadband availability data with socioeconomic metrics, the Broadband Infrastructure Office identifies gaps more effectively, ensuring funds and efforts reach those most in need.

State planners are also collaborating with local governments to incorporate broadband development into long-term land use plans. When counties include internet service in the same conversations as roads or sewer systems, connectivity becomes embedded within the vision for growth. This transition marks a shift from broadband as optional to broadband as essential infrastructure—on par with electricity or clean water.

What transformations could occur if every resident had access to fast, affordable internet? That question propels each award, each mile of laid fiber, and each partnership forged across North Carolina’s digital terrain.

Inside the GREAT Grant Program: Fueling Broadband Growth in Rural North Carolina

Understanding How the GREAT Program Functions

The Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) grant program channels state funding to internet service providers willing to bring high-speed broadband to unserved and underserved areas. Operated by the North Carolina Department of Information Technology, the program awards grants through a competitive application process that prioritizes communities lacking access to reliable internet—defined as speeds below 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload.

Applicants propose broadband expansion projects that meet or exceed the FCC's baseline speeds, with many aiming for gigabit-level service. The evaluation process incorporates factors such as cost efficiency, project scalability, and community impact. Matching funds from providers are also required, often ranging from 35% to 50% of the total project cost depending on county-tier designations. Third-party validation ensures that awarded areas genuinely lack existing infrastructure.

Documented Results and Projected Outcomes

Since inception in 2018, the GREAT program has committed over $176 million across multiple rounds. These investments have supported over 130,000 households and businesses statewide, spanning more than 70 counties. In previous cycles, providers like ATMC, RiverStreet Networks, and Charter Communications built fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) networks, bringing symmetrical gigabit speeds to areas historically ignored by commercial rollouts.

In the latest round featuring the $22 million in grant awards announced in 2024, the state projects to connect at least 14,000 additional households and businesses. The grants target 13 counties, including some of the most rural and economically distressed—such as Alleghany, Bertie, and Caswell Counties. Providers are expected to complete infrastructure within 18 to 24 months, with milestones tied to funding disbursement.

• In 2020, Pitt County reported a 63% reduction in underserved areas after receiving $1.7 million in GREAT funding.
• Harnett County’s public-private partnership with an awardee in 2021 enabled 2,300 premises to gain reliable broadband within 10 months of project kickoff.
• Granville County saw its industrial recruitment increase after broadband build-out, confirming economic ripple effects beyond household connectivity.

This model continues to be refined with each funding cycle, integrating feedback from local governments, tracking long-term outcomes, and positioning broadband as foundational infrastructure for rural revitalization.

Governor Roy Cooper's Leadership Role in Expanding Broadband Access

Driving Policy Through Public Commitment

Governor Roy Cooper continues to shape North Carolina's broadband policy with a clear and consistent message: every resident, regardless of ZIP code, should have access to high-speed internet. When the $22 million in new broadband grant awards were announced, Cooper framed the investment as part of a long-term strategy to eliminate disparities in connectivity across the state. During public remarks, he emphasized that broadband is "as essential as electricity and running water" for modern households and businesses.

Cooper’s administration has positioned broadband infrastructure not as a luxury, but as baseline infrastructure for daily life. In numerous addresses and public comments, he has asserted that expanding access will directly improve educational outcomes, workforce participation, and healthcare delivery, especially in rural counties. He continues to work closely with the North Carolina Department of Information Technology and the Broadband Infrastructure Office to align state resources with this mission.

Economic Growth as a Strategic Outcome

The Governor has tied broadband access directly to statewide economic development goals. By reducing technological disparities, his administration is targeting expansion of job opportunities, particularly in industries that rely heavily on connectivity—such as advanced manufacturing, logistics, and remote tech services.

Cooper frequently points to North Carolina's economic competitiveness in global markets. He argues that by building robust, future-facing telecom infrastructure now, the state can attract more private sector investment, scale local innovation, and prepare the next generation for digitally enabled careers. Investments like the $22 million broadband grant awards fit squarely into Cooper’s broader plan to create a more resilient, connected, and inclusive state economy.

Boosting Opportunity: The Transformative Impact of Broadband Expansion in North Carolina

Entrepreneurs Take the Lead When Connectivity Improves

When small business owners in North Carolina receive access to high-speed internet, operational ceilings shift. Local entrepreneurs gain tools they couldn’t previously access—cloud-based software, e-commerce platforms, marketing automation, and real-time customer communication systems. Rural businesses once limited to geographic foot traffic can now compete in global markets. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 93% of small businesses report using digital tools to improve productivity. With broader broadband access, that number holds the potential to rise even further across North Carolina's counties.

• Online storefronts become viable: high-speed internet allows businesses to expand from brick-and-mortar to digital marketplaces such as Etsy, Shopify, and Amazon.
• Virtual collaboration becomes standard: remote meetings, real-time document editing, and digital invoicing streamline operations.
• Improved customer service: access to CRM platforms improves client communication and business efficiency.

Economic Development Follows a Digital Highway

As broadband availability grows, economic data points to a correlation with measurable development. According to a report by the Purdue Center for Regional Development, rural counties with higher broadband adoption saw a 1.4% increase in employment and a 2.4% rise in the number of firms between 2010 and 2015. When applied to North Carolina, these figures project thousands of potential new jobs—particularly in Tier 1 and Tier 2 counties now receiving funding from the GREAT grant program.

Layer this with the forecasted demand for digital services. A recent McKinsey analysis showed that digital-first economic activity could contribute up to $1.5 trillion to U.S. GDP by 2030. Regions like northwestern North Carolina, currently investing grant dollars into broadband infrastructure, stand to secure a portion of that growth.

• Attracting new industries: sectors such as tech and financial services evaluate internet infrastructure when considering expansion into new regions.
• Empowering startups: broadband enables low-overhead online business models, reducing the barrier to entry for new founders in remote areas.
• Stimulating property values: Federal Reserve studies indicate a rise in home values—up to 3.1%—in areas newly served by broadband.

What happens when a community connects at speed? Workforce readiness expands. Investment interest increases. And entrepreneurs no longer face a wall of digital isolation. With each new broadband mile, North Carolina sharpens its economic edge.

Driving Rural Prosperity Through Broadband: Economic Growth in Focus

The Broadband-Rural Development Connection

In North Carolina, the broadband expansion intersects directly with rural economic revitalization. High-speed internet infrastructure does more than enable streaming or remote work; it drives long-term socioeconomic transformation. Studies from the Purdue Center for Regional Development and the USDA consistently connect broadband to rural innovation, entrepreneurship, and labor force participation. For example, the USDA’s 2020 "Rural America at a Glance" report noted a 1.4% increase in rural employment when broadband availability expanded by 10 percentage points.

North Carolina’s rural counties—many of which have faced a steady decline in manufacturing jobs—stand to benefit significantly. Improved digital infrastructure introduces new business models and access to wider markets. From remote bookkeeping services in Greene County to precision agriculture in Sampson County, internet access reshapes rural enterprise capabilities.

Zooming in: Evidence from North Carolina Communities

• Jackson County: After broadband upgrades funded partly through previous GREAT grants, small businesses reported up to a 20% increase in customer engagement, according to local chamber surveys. One local artisan cooperative began exporting products via online platforms, linking to buyers in 14 states.
• Chowan County: In areas with newly connected farms, adoption of digital agricultural tools—including soil sensors and drone analytics—rose 35% within one year. This translated to an estimated $750,000 in operational cost savings across just six mid-sized farms, based on data from the NC Cooperative Extension.
• Mitchell County: Teleworkers rose from 3% to 9% of the employed population after fiber networks reached the county’s western corridor. Real estate listings began to highlight “gigabit-enabled” properties, contributing to a 12% increase in rural home values over 18 months.

Economic projections reinforce these early results. The NC Department of Commerce estimates that a 1% increase in broadband penetration could elevate rural GDP by $125 million annually. Over the next decade, with full implementation of broadband access in underserved regions, potential job creation in rural North Carolina could exceed 72,000—driven by sectors like telehealth, logistics, and e-learning technology.

Broadband isn’t simply a utility. For rural North Carolina, it functions as economic infrastructure—a network upon which new economies, services, and communities can be built.

Driving Connectivity: High-Speed Internet Access Initiatives in North Carolina

Scaling Statewide Initiatives

North Carolina's commitment to expanding broadband connectivity is unfolding on multiple fronts. The state has mounted an aggressive approach, integrating policy direction with implementation schemes. Through the North Carolina Department of Information Technology's Broadband Infrastructure Office, current initiatives are designed to bridge underserved and unserved regions in both rural and urban areas.

As of 2024, the Complete Access to Broadband (CAB) program coordinates with counties to leverage state and federal funds, focusing precise investments in high-impact zones. Simultaneously, expansions through the Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) Grant program target privately operated infrastructure─driving fiber-optic connections to homes and businesses across 54 counties.

Significant upgrades are underway: middle-mile infrastructure is being extended, new anchor institutions are being connected, and public Wi-Fi zones continue to emerge in town centers, libraries, and parks. These are not isolated pockets of innovation. The infrastructure targets a statewide elevation of digital capacity—urban benchmarks applied to rural terrain.

Federal Alignment: American-Funded Broadband Projects

Multiple high-velocity investments from federal programs intersect directly with North Carolina’s broadband map. The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) alone allocated over $1.2 billion to the state for broadband development. Supplemental momentum comes from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which channels funds through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program.

Under BEAD, North Carolina anticipates approximately $1.5 billion in federal aid. These funds target last-mile solutions—delivering high-speed service directly to homes—and are paired with technical assistance, mapping, and compliance reviews. Projects must adhere to a minimum service benchmark of 100 Mbps download / 20 Mbps upload, aligning with FCC definitions of high-performance broadband.

Federal involvement doesn’t just bring funding. It also imposes new standards for accountability and affordability. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)$30 per month for eligible households, thereby ensuring that infrastructure investment translates into actual access.

What scale are we really talking about? North Carolina reports that over 1.1 million residents live in areas lacking adequate broadband. These initiatives stand aimed at that target. With grants issued, contracts signed, and ground breakings underway, statewide connectivity is shifting from policy to infrastructure, from planning to actual reach.

Exposing the Digital Divide in North Carolina

Quantifying the Connectivity Gap

Despite statewide efforts, thousands in North Carolina still lack access to reliable broadband. According to the 2021 North Carolina Broadband Survey conducted by the North Carolina Department of Information Technology (NCDIT), approximately 1.1 million residents either have no internet service or suffer from inadequate speeds. Rural counties present the starkest gaps—Vance, Halifax, and Tyrrell counties, for instance, report broadband adoption rates below 60%.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) defines broadband as internet with a minimum download speed of 25 Mbps and upload of 3 Mbps. Yet, a comparison of FCC availability data and actual resident-reported speeds reveals a consistent mismatch. In places like Northampton County, 60% of surveyed households report service below these minimum standards.

Stories from affected communities illustrate the human cost. In Robeson County, students rely on crowded school parking lots at night to submit assignments. In Jackson County, telehealth appointments get dropped mid-session due to poor connectivity. These anecdotal cases reflect a broader systemic issue—not just access, but equitable access to meaningful, usable speeds.

Redirecting Resources to Underserved Regions

The recent announcement of $22 million in broadband grant awards is targeted squarely at these documented gaps. The Broadband Infrastructure Office has prioritized census blocks with existing service below 25/3 Mbps, drawing on mapping data aligned with American Rescue Plan priorities.

• Funding is directed primarily toward Tier 1 and Tier 2 counties—regions that demonstrate both economic distress and broadband inadequacy.
• Grantees must adhere to speed benchmarks of at least 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload, ensuring future-proof capacity.
• Projects are concentrated in regions like Nash, Franklin, and Bertie counties where over 30% of the population remains unserved.

These strategic investments are designed not just to build infrastructure but to resolve a digital inequality that impedes education, employment, and healthcare access. When Madison County receives funding to extend fiber lines to rugged mountain communities, it doesn't just close a coverage map—it reconnects people to opportunity.

Strategic Investment Elevates North Carolina’s Telecommunication Infrastructure

Targeted Funding for Lasting Results

North Carolina’s recent announcement of $22 million in broadband grant awards marks a defined shift in how the state approaches telecommunication infrastructure. The funding is not scattered; it’s precisely directed toward physical infrastructure—fiber-optic lines, network nodes, utility pole attachments, and wireless towers. These assets create the backbone for reliable, high-speed internet access, especially in historically underserved regions.

Out of the current grant cycle, a significant share is dedicated to the construction of middle-mile and last-mile solutions. Middle-mile infrastructure includes the high-capacity fiber that connects core networks to local hubs, while last-mile connections link those hubs directly to homes and businesses. More than 75% of the awarded funding is going toward technologies that support these last-mile links, ensuring end-users—not just service providers—experience improved connectivity.

The FCC’s Regulatory Influence

Policy decisions from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) continue to shape how state investments translate into local impact. The FCC’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, authorized through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), allocates billions nationally to expand internet access. North Carolina’s grant awards dovetail with this federal momentum, leveraging FCC mapping tools and affordability benchmarks to decide which areas qualify for immediate infrastructure upgrades.

Moreover, FCC policies require transparent reporting on buildout progress and compliance with upload/download speed thresholds. This aligns state-level decisions with national goals: symmetrical speeds, low latency, and future scalability. North Carolina’s eligibility criteria and project metrics within these $22 million awards take direct cues from FCC guidelines, marrying local execution with federal oversight.

Technology as a Foundation, Not a Feature

These investments aren't about creating isolated service zones—this is about comprehensive systems integration. Fiber-optic infrastructure, capable of delivering speeds of 1 Gbps and beyond, provides the groundwork for 5G deployment, telehealth expansion, smart agriculture, and cloud-based education systems. Wireless fixes alone are insufficient; North Carolina’s strategy invests in scalable, low-maintenance fiber solutions as the primary medium of transmission.

• Over 2,000 miles of fiber planned through current grant round
• 35% of funds aimed at infrastructure in counties with fewer than 50% broadband coverage
• Significant emphasis on projects pledging 100/100 Mbps symmetrical service

By anchoring dollars to durable infrastructure and aligning with FCC standards, North Carolina sets measurable outcomes—faster speeds, lower latency, broader reach. The shift is not symbolic. It’s structural.

Collaborative Models Powering North Carolina’s Broadband Expansion

Building Networks Together: The Role of Public-Private Partnerships

Broadband deployment across North Carolina has accelerated through calculated synergies between public agencies and private sector providers. These partnerships blend public funding with private investment, infrastructure, and technical expertise—leading to broader, faster, and more sustainable connectivity solutions. Local governments set strategic goals and allocate public resources, while telecommunications companies bring operational capacity and real-time industry intelligence.

Rather than isolated efforts, these collaborations have created a coalition effect. Municipalities often lead on securing grants and rights-of-way approvals, while internet service providers (ISPs) handle last-mile installation and tech support. Together, they compress implementation timelines and drive network coverage deeper into underserved areas.

Notable Partnerships Driving Broadband Results

• Wilkes Communications and Yadkin Valley Telephone Membership Corporation: This cooperative model has consistently delivered gigabit-speed fiber internet to thousands of rural homes. Through collaboration with state programs, these providers have expanded reach in mountain communities where private deployment was previously unfeasible.
• Charter Communications and the NC Department of Information Technology: Supported by the GREAT Grant program, this alliance has connected isolated regions in southeastern counties, including Bladen and Columbus, using hybrid fiber-coaxial technology with scalable upgrade potential.
• Hotwire Communications and Local Municipalities in Western NC: By leveraging city-owned utility poles and existing infrastructure, Hotwire rapidly established fiber-optic access in high-priority unserved zones.

These examples show joint ventures increasing both speed and scale of deployment. Some ISPs have even co-invested in fiber infrastructure to futureproof against rising bandwidth demands. Meanwhile, counties align broadband strategies with economic development plans, ensuring that infrastructure serves both residents and businesses.

Have similar models been considered in your own community? Exploring shared investment and decision-making often reveals critical opportunities for transformation, especially in regions long overlooked by legacy telecommunications investment.

Driving Forward: North Carolina’s Broadband Strategy Sets a Strong Precedent

The $22 million in broadband grant awards represents more than financial backing—it signifies a deliberate, data-driven commitment to digital equity and infrastructure resilience. These awards will result in tangible outcomes: thousands of homes and businesses gaining access to high-speed internet, and underserved counties seizing new opportunities for innovation and growth.

North Carolina’s multi-tiered approach—built on cross-sector collaboration, targeted investment, and legislative alignment—demonstrates a replicable model. States aiming to close their digital divide can follow this playbook: identify high-impact regions, channel funds through competitive grant programs, and align technology rollout with economic development priorities.

Beyond today's numbers and logistics lies a broader vision. The General Assembly, local leaders, and community stakeholders are investing in long-term social and economic prosperity through digital inclusion. Each mile of fiber laid, each underserved home connected, builds toward a more competitive, inclusive, and resilient North Carolina.

Get Involved and Stay Connected

• Explore more: Dive deeper into North Carolina’s broadband initiatives by visiting the state’s Broadband Infrastructure Office website. Understand how counties qualified for grants and track progress across project phases.
• Business owners: If your operation resides in one of the targeted regions, new broadband capabilities can transform how you deliver products and services. Connect with your local economic development office for strategies to capitalize on upgraded internet access.
• Residents: Live in an area impacted by these grants? Share your experience. Are you already seeing improvements? What resources do you still need? Your feedback will shape future expansions.