Governor Josh Stein has announced the allocation of over $58 million in Completing Access to Broadband (CAB) program projects. This initiative aims to connect 10,076 households and businesses across 26 counties in North Carolina to high-speed internet.
“Good partnerships between our counties, the state, and internet providers will connect North Carolinians,” stated Governor Stein. He emphasized the importance of expanding high-speed internet access for communication, business growth, telehealth services, and educational opportunities.
NCDIT Secretary and State Chief Information Officer Teena Piccione remarked on the significance of this development for rural areas: “Bringing high-speed internet to rural North Carolina is a game changer.” She credited Governor Stein’s vision and the General Assembly’s efforts for making these investments possible.
The funding comprises more than $41 million from the federal American Rescue Plan, awarded by NCDIT and individual counties, along with over $17 million from selected broadband providers. These providers include Spectrum Southeast, LLC; Windstream North Carolina, LLC; Connect Holding II, LLC (Brightspeed); ERC Broadband, LLC; Randolph Telephone Membership Corporation (Randolph Communications); LREMC Technologies, LLC (Lumbee River Electric Membership Corporation); and Yadkin Valley Telephone Membership Corporation (Zirrus).
The CAB program establishes a partnership between counties and NCDIT to identify areas lacking access and solicit proposals from prequalified internet service providers. The awardees are required to offer reliable high-speed service with minimum speeds of 100 Mbps download and upload.
Governor Stein remains committed to digital accessibility across North Carolina. Today’s awards add to nearly $630 million in GREAT grants and previous CAB projects designed to provide nearly 245,000 households and businesses with high-speed internet connectivity.
For additional details about the NCDIT Division of Broadband and Digital Opportunity, visit ncbroadband.gov.
