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North Carolina Announces $33M in Broadband Funding, Brightspeed Wins Big Again

North Carolina Unveils $33M Broadband Expansion to Close Digital Divide

North Carolina is directing $33 million in new broadband infrastructure funding across 20 counties, targeting unserved and underserved areas with some of the lowest internet connectivity rates in the state. The initiative, announced in early 2024 by the North Carolina Department of Information Technology (NCDIT), forms part of the Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) Grant program. This most recent round focuses on communities where fewer than 25% of residents currently have access to high-speed internet that meets federal standards.

The timing reflects broad national efforts to translate federal infrastructure funding into tangible improvements in digital equity. As telehealth, remote work, and online learning become foundational elements of daily life, gaps in connectivity directly deepen socioeconomic divides. Rural counties like Graham, Hyde, and Jones—with aging populations and limited technological access—stand to benefit most.

This funding push aligns North Carolina with federal goals outlined in the Biden Administration’s $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. It reinforces a targeted commitment to bringing parity in broadband access, particularly in marginalized and rural regions.

Mapping The Digital Landscape: Broadband Access Across North Carolina 🗺

Infrastructure Expansion: A Two-Decade Journey

North Carolina began systematic broadband deployment in the early 2000s, supported by initiatives like the e-NC Authority. This early work laid a foundation for municipally owned networks such as Greenlight in Wilson and Fibrant in Salisbury. Yet, urban-rural disparities persisted. Between 2010 and 2020, state-supported programs such as the Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) grant continued pushing expansion into unserved areas, but scalability remained an issue.

Rural Disconnect: The Persistent Digital Divide

In regions like the Appalachian west, the central Piedmont, and the eastern coastal plain, broadband access continues to lag due to sparse populations, terrain challenges, and underinvestment from private providers. Residents in Clay, Graham, and Swain counties report limited or no wired high-speed connections. In Tier 1 counties—classified by the North Carolina Department of Commerce as the most economically distressed—access gaps disproportionately affect low-income and minority households.

Three Regions, Three Distinct Challenges

By the Numbers: Connectivity Gaps in North Carolina

According to the Federal Communications Commission’s Fixed Broadband Deployment report (December 2023), approximately 684,000 residents in North Carolina lack access to high-speed internet defined as 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload speeds. That figure includes:

These statistics highlight a multifaceted problem: infrastructure does not reach everyone, and even where infrastructure exists, adoption tends to be lower in communities facing economic hardship or limited digital literacy support.

The $33M Investment: Where the Money Is Going 💸

Last Mile vs. Middle Mile: What’s the Difference?

To understand how North Carolina plans to use its $33 million broadband investment, it helps to distinguish between two critical infrastructure segments: the middle mile and the last mile.

The middle mile connects major network hubs across longer distances—these are high-capacity lines that transport internet from data centers or internet exchange points to local networks. Think of it as the backbone. The last mile, on the other hand, brings connectivity from those local networks directly into homes and businesses. It’s the final stretch that determines whether a household can actually access the internet.

A significant portion of the funding focuses on accelerating last mile deployment, the most common barrier to service in rural and underserved communities.

Investment Allocation Across Counties and Municipalities

Funds are being distributed across 27 counties, with priority given to areas that have long struggled with connectivity. Some notable allocations include:

Each approved project was selected based on need, infrastructure readiness, and provider capacity to complete implementation within deadlines set by the North Carolina Department of Information Technology’s (NCDIT) Division of Broadband and Digital Equity.

Performance Benchmarks: Speed, Reach, and Coverage Goals

The investment comes with specific technical benchmarks designed to elevate service standards. Funded projects must deliver minimum speeds of 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload, in line with FCC broadband definitions. Several projects are targeting symmetrical 100/100 Mbps service using fiber infrastructure.

Collectively, these projects will:

Internet Service Providers: The Frontline Partners

Deployment will be handled by a mix of regional and national ISPs that successfully applied through the state’s Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) grant program. Participating providers include:

These ISPs are contractually bound to complete infrastructure buildout within two years and must meet quarterly progress benchmarks, ensuring that progress remains trackable and transparent. Competitive grant scoring also weighed ISP experience, financial capacity, and support for discounted services for low-income households.

Policy Meets Progress: Government Leadership Driving Broadband Expansion 🏛

The State’s Hands-On Role in Broadband Expansion

The Office of Digital Equity and Inclusion—part of North Carolina's Department of Information Technology—coordinates statewide broadband development. This office shapes regulatory standards, oversees funding allocation, and ensures projects align with long-term strategic goals. Under the Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) Grant Program and Completing Access to Broadband (CAB) Program, the state government actively channels resources into underserved regions.

Legislation like House Bill 947, passed in 2021 and backed by bipartisan support, authorized the use of federal COVID-19 relief funds for broadband infrastructure. Through this statutory framework, the state gained administrative authority to deploy funds swiftly and target them accurately.

Republican Push for Rural Infrastructure

GOP legislators in the North Carolina General Assembly reinforced broadband as a top infrastructure priority. Initiatives such as the 2021 Republican-backed Rural Infrastructure Act focused on expanding connectivity through public funding while encouraging local partnerships. By prioritizing last-mile access and collaborating with county governments, Republican leaders framed broadband as an economic development engine for agricultural and remote communities.

Alignment with Federal Channels

North Carolina’s strategy isn’t operating in a vacuum. State-level administrators worked directly with federal entities like the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), and the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program and the Capital Projects Fund, state officials aligned North Carolina’s grant distribution with federal eligibility criteria and mapping processes.

Coordination with Congress paved the way for smoother integration of American Rescue Plan funds into state-level execution. In 2022, state officials submitted a digital equity plan jointly reviewed with federal advisors, improving eligibility for Phase 2 investments currently in the pipeline.

Voices from the Capitol and the Counties

During the announcement of the $33M broadband funding, Governor Roy Cooper stated, “We are connecting people not just to the internet, but to opportunity—healthcare, education, and economic mobility.”

Local officials echoed that momentum. Catawba County Manager Mick Berry described the funding as “transformational,” adding that communities in the foothills region will “gain the tools they need to be full participants in the 21st-century economy.”

These statements reflect deliberate alignment between executive action at the state level and practical application at the local level—a dynamic that fast-tracks outcomes.

Federal Backing: American Rescue Plan, NTIA & Other Federal Grant Programs 🇺🇸

How Federal Funds Reinforce North Carolina’s Broadband Ambitions

Federal programs provide the financial muscle behind North Carolina's broadband expansion strategy, including the newly announced $33 million investment. A significant portion of this funding ecosystem stems from three major pillars: the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), the USDA’s ReConnect Program, and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

Through the NTIA’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, North Carolina stands to secure over $1.5 billion—one of the largest awards nationally. This funding goes beyond direct installation costs and supports comprehensive planning, workforce development, and digital adoption efforts. When paired with the state’s own investments, the result is a robust network of capital aligned for fast-track deployment.

The USDA’s ReConnect Program, which facilitates broadband projects in rural America, has directly funded multiple North Carolina projects. In fiscal year 2023 alone, well over $60 million flowed to providers working in Appalachia and the Coastal Plain. This program targets areas with limited or no broadband access, awarding grants and loans to eligible internet service providers, electric cooperatives, and tribal entities.

Matching Grants and Program Eligibility

State-led proposals rarely stand alone. Most federal broadband initiatives require cost-sharing mechanisms—typically a 25% local or state match for federal support. Programs like BEAD and Capital Projects Fund set strict eligibility benchmarks. Projects must offer minimum service speeds—usually 100/20 Mbps—and focus on areas currently underserved or completely unserved.

In North Carolina’s case, state grants often serve as the match required to unlock federal funding. For instance, a $10 million public grant may allow a provider to access an additional $30 million in federal awards, multiplying the impact exponentially. This collaborative funding model enhances public accountability while aligning independently administered programs around coordinated goals.

Bipartisan Support in Congress

Bipartisan momentum in Congress continues to sustain federal broadband funding. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) of 2021 passed with cross-party support, unlocking $65 billion nationally for broadband. That law created the NTIA’s BEAD program and expanded previous allocations under the American Rescue Plan.

Republicans and Democrats alike have backed broadband as essential economic infrastructure. Representatives from North Carolina—both red and blue—have championed expanded funding, introduced amendments to increase allocations, and pushed federal agencies for faster disbursement of funds. The result: a rare instance of cooperative legislative energy focused on long-term infrastructure equity.

Legacy Programs from the Trump Administration

Several federal programs supporting North Carolina’s broadband growth trace their origins to the Trump administration. The USDA ReConnect Program, launched in 2018, has allocated billions nationwide, with rural states like North Carolina receiving substantial shares. Additionally, the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF), initiated by the FCC in 2020, committed over $9.2 billion in subsidies aimed at providers in hard-to-service census blocks.

While newer initiatives like BEAD and ARPA have expanded available funds, legacy programs remain active—creating opportunities for overlap, braided funding, and more nuanced implementation timelines. Together, these federal commitments act as both a catalyst and a stabilizer for long-term broadband infrastructure in North Carolina.

Bridging the Digital Divide: Equity, Access & Community Impact ❤️

Targeting Areas Left Behind

The $33 million broadband expansion directly targets communities that lack basic access to high-speed internet, with rural counties and underserved neighborhoods receiving focused attention. According to a 2023 broadband availability map published by the North Carolina Department of Information Technology (NCDIT), more than 1.1 million North Carolinians lack access to speeds of at least 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload — the FCC’s minimum standard.

With this infusion of funding, county-level projects will extend fiber-optic networks and wireless infrastructure to remote areas where market incentives have historically failed to deliver service. These upgrades narrow the gap that has divided urban hubs from rural towns for more than two decades.

Technology Equity and Expanded Opportunities

Affording every resident access to high-speed internet moves the state toward digital parity. Universal connectivity levels the playing field in critical services. High-speed internet opens doors for K-12 students and adult learners, giving them access to digital classrooms and nationally recognized training platforms. Telehealth becomes viable in homes that were previously unreachable—especially important for the elderly and chronically ill in medical deserts. And for job-seekers, tools like virtual career counseling, online certifications, and remote job portals become accessible from anywhere.

Community Development Built on Connectivity

When infrastructure improves, communities evolve. Local governments and economic development boards have long used broadband as an accelerant for growth. The infusion of $33 million generates ripple effects:

Economic Expansion in Rural Counties

Job creation doesn't end with construction. Once fiber lines go live, towns bypassed by previous investment cycles become viable markets for remote employers, tech-based startups, and telecommuting professionals. Ashe, Bertie, and Hyde counties—areas marked as broadband deserts in NCDIT’s 2023 report—can support workforce training hubs and business incubators that rely on cloud infrastructure and video conferencing.

A report from the Purdue Center for Regional Development shows that a 10% increase in broadband penetration in rural counties is associated with a 1.4% growth in employment. Applying similar benchmarks to North Carolina forecasts measurable, sustained economic impact from this infrastructure investment.

Public-Private Partnerships: Key to High-Speed Internet Deployment 🤝

Accelerating Expansion: The Role of Internet Service Providers

Internet Service Providers (ISPs), both national and regional, are core participants in North Carolina’s broadband funding strategy. The state expects ISPs to match public dollars with their own investments and expand infrastructure to areas where building networks has traditionally been financially nonviable. Providers are required to demonstrate scalable deployment plans, offer regular progress reports, and meet minimum speed thresholds—typically at least 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload rates under current grant guidelines.

ISPs also assume ongoing responsibilities tied to affordability and service quality. Contracts often require a minimum service term, detailed pricing transparency, and participation in federal affordability programs like the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).

Where Partnerships Are Working: Real Examples Across the State

Fair Pricing and Safeguards Against Monopolies

To curb monopolistic practices, grant agreements enforce open access provisions and prevent exclusive control over new infrastructure. The state mandates competitive bidding when awarding subsidies, and third-party reviews identify price disparities. ISPs receiving public funds must publish rate sheets and service level agreements upfront.

Additionally, North Carolina’s Broadband Infrastructure Office integrates affordability metrics into provider scorecards, which influence application evaluations. Providers that commit to low-income rate plans and ACP participation receive higher consideration.

Facing Industry Scrutiny: Transparency and Consumer Protections

Despite progress, concerns over ISP behavior persist. Advocacy groups have documented instances of price gouging, data throttling, and non-transparent fees. In response, the state has implemented mechanisms such as whistleblower hotlines and contract review audits. Providers must disclose any bandwidth throttling policies, and routine speed testing is required to detect discrepancies between advertised and delivered services.

Transparency dashboards and consumer feedback platforms are under development to increase accountability, using data from both ISPs and end-users to monitor compliance with deployment and service obligations.

Can public funds and corporate interests align for the long haul? In North Carolina's model, collaboration isn’t optional—it’s engineered into the infrastructure. Success depends on continuous oversight, equitable terms, and partnerships that treat connectivity as more than a commodity.

Closing Gaps in Classrooms and Clinics: Broadband’s Transformative Reach 📚🩺

Connected Classrooms: Reaching Every Student, Everywhere

North Carolina’s investment in broadband infrastructure is reshaping how schools deliver education, especially in rural and underserved communities. Public school districts like Halifax County have reported a 47% increase in student internet access outside school hours since receiving fiber-optic expansions funded through state grants. This connectivity isn't just about homework—it enables real-time learning platforms, virtual mentorship programs, and access to college preparatory courses previously unavailable in isolated regions.

At the university level, campuses such as Western Carolina University have extended remote learning capabilities to students living in mountain communities where DSL was once the only option. With faster connections, professors now hold synchronous online lectures, and STEM students conduct simulations previously impossible without high data throughput.

Telehealth Expands: Connecting Rural Clinics to Life-Saving Care

With broadband now reaching low-income clinics across counties like Robeson and Transylvania, administrators are integrating telehealth systems into their standard patient care models. Before the expansion, only 11% of clinics in those areas offered secure video consultations. That number has jumped to over 60% post-installation of new broadband connections, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

Patients managing chronic conditions—such as diabetes or hypertension—can now consult with specialists through encrypted platforms from their local health centers, reducing missed appointments and cutting average travel times by over 70 minutes per visit. Remote psychiatric evaluations are also increasing, with mental health providers now reachable in areas that previously had zero licensed psychologists within 50 miles.

Case Study: Edgecombe County Schools Before and After the Broadband Upgrade

In 2021, Edgecombe County Schools struggled with digital gaps—more than 35% of students had no reliable internet at home. This severely limited their ability to participate in hybrid learning models rolled out during the pandemic. After receiving targeted broadband funding as part of earlier state initiatives, the district partnered with internet providers and established high-speed connections across its 14 public schools and student households within a 5-mile radius.

Within 12 months of rollout:

Teachers began using data-rich platforms for individualized learning, while IT staff ran seamless cybersecurity audits and software updates remotely. The broadband upgrade didn't just bring the internet—it activated a new educational ecosystem.

Policies and Partnerships: What Comes Next for Digital Infrastructure? 📘

Legislative Momentum: Where Broadband Bills Stand Now

At the federal level, multiple broadband-related bills remain under consideration in Congress. As of Q1 2024, two pieces of legislation stand out: the Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act and the BROADBAND Act (Broadband Reform and Investment to Drive Growth in the Economy). The former, championed predominantly by Democratic lawmakers, proposes over $100 billion in nationwide funding for broadband infrastructure, focusing on underserved and rural communities. The BROADBAND Act, backed by both parties but shaped more by GOP fiscal priorities, emphasizes market facilitation and streamlined regulations to reduce project barriers.

North Carolina’s own General Assembly has aligned state-level initiatives with these congressional frameworks, particularly through the Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) Grant Program. Legislators continue to negotiate expansions to grant eligibility and long-term funding mechanisms. Future movement on these state and federal bills will directly affect how the $33 million investment will scale or integrate with broader infrastructure efforts.

Diverging Policy Visions: GOP and Democratic Approaches to Digital Equity

Democrats typically advocate for direct federal spending and robust regulatory oversight to ensure equitable access. Their approach includes infrastructure grants, affordability programs like the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), and digital literacy initiatives. Republicans, on the other hand, focus on deregulation, tax incentives for private providers, and measures to prevent government overreach into private telecom markets.

This ideological divide shapes appropriations, grant design, and implementation speed. In North Carolina, bipartisan sponsorship of broadband expansion has become more common, but friction remains over overlapping coverage areas, red tape, and the role of cooperatives versus corporate ISPs.

Maintaining a Competitive Edge: Innovation as a Core Strategy

Beyond immediate connectivity goals, U.S. policymakers and infrastructure experts view broadband as a foundation for global competitiveness. Fiber deployment, 5G rollout, and resilient middle-mile networks are front and center. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) encourages states to partner not only for access but innovation pipelines—merging public funds with private-sector R&D to accelerate technological evolution.

States like North Carolina are positioned to leverage their growing tech corridors in Raleigh/Durham and Charlotte by tying broadband investments to workforce development zones and digital entrepreneurship hubs. Expect upcoming partnerships with universities, innovation labs, and telecom manufacturers aiming for scalable, future-ready infrastructure models.

Eyes on Accountability: Preventing Waste and Misuse of Funds

As the scope of digital infrastructure projects expands, so does scrutiny over how funds are managed. The U.S. Department of the Treasury and NTIA have introduced stricter reporting requirements under programs like the Capital Projects Fund (CPF). North Carolina’s Broadband Infrastructure Office implements performance audits and geospatial verification tools to confirm network deployment and coverage compliance.

Public trust in broadband expansion rests on transparency. Real-time dashboards, third-party data review, and advocacy group oversight serve as additional layers ensuring funds reach the underserved—and stay there.

The $33M Signal: North Carolina Charts a New Digital Future 📈

North Carolina didn’t wait for change—it funded it. By unlocking $33 million explicitly for broadband expansion, the state is signaling leadership not in words, but in infrastructure. With this move, it joins the ranks of states redefining connectivity as a public utility—one that shapes economic outcomes, workforce readiness, and social mobility with every installed mile of fiber.

Why This Funding Matters—To You, Not Just Policy Makers

Broadband access changes how communities work, learn, heal, and grow. With 2024 seeing record-high remote work participation, stable internet access directly influences income potential. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, American workers with remote work access made an average of 21% more than their on-site counterparts in the same roles. North Carolina’s $33M isn’t abstract policy—it’s raising the floor for what residents can earn, how kids study, and how hospitals deliver care in rural areas.

Small businesses benefit too. The Federal Communications Commission reports that broadband availability boosts small business revenues by an average of $200,000 annually in connected areas. Higher speed infrastructure means quicker e-commerce, better customer service, and more efficient back-end operations. When broadband deployment enters your county, local entrepreneurship doesn't just survive—it scales.

Engage, Educate, Advocate

Change accelerates when individuals recognize their influence. Want to follow the progress of broadband installations, find out if your county is on the build list, or shape future funding priorities?

This isn’t just deployment. It’s directional infrastructure—pointing the state toward a high-speed, lower-barrier, digitally fluent economy. $33 million funded a future. Now the question is: what will North Carolinians do with it?