Governor Josh Stein announced more than $63 million in Completing Access to Broadband (CAB) program projects to connect 18,889 households and businesses in 30 counties to high-speed internet. The CAB program will connect 394 homes and businesses in Alexander County.
“North Carolinians’ need access to high-speed internet to connect them with friends and family, business opportunities, telehealth, and more,” said Governor Josh Stein. “Broadband is key 21st Century infrastructure, and these partnerships between counties across the state and internet providers will help connect more North Carolinians.”
“Access to high-speed internet is not just about connectivity; it’s about empowering individuals and communities to thrive in the digital age,” said NCDIT Secretary and State Chief Information Officer Teena Piccione. “We will continue collaborating with counties and internet service providers to fund projects to expand high-speed internet access to all North Carolinians.”
These projects will be awarded by NCDIT and are funded by more than $44 million from the federal American Rescue Plan and nearly $19 million from selected broadband providers:
Alexander: Yadkin Valley Telephone Membership Corporation (Zirrus)
This award will provide high-speed internet access to 394 homes and businesses (14.78% of the county’s 2,665 eligible locations).
The CAB program’s procurement process creates a partnership between counties and NCDIT to identify areas that need access, solicit proposals from prequalified internet service providers, and quickly make awards. Awardees must agree to provide high-speed service that reliably meets or exceeds speeds of 100 Mbps download and 100 Mbps upload.
These projects must be completed by December 31, 2026.
These awards add to the $533 million in Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) grants and previous CAB projects that will connect more than 211,000 North Carolina households and businesses to high-speed internet. See progress here.
For more information about the NCDIT Division of Broadband and Digital Opportunity, visit ncbroadband.gov.