e-NC, the organization tasked by the North Carolina General Assembly to spread broadband access across the state, is in big-time budget trouble. How ironic, e-NC backer say, is this? Just as the Obama administration and the Federal Communications Commission prepares to spend billions to spread broadband across the US the group that has worked for years to accomplish that same mission in NC could be rendered ineffective. The group, led by longtime Gov. Jim Hunt tech advisor Jane Patterson, faces more than a 50 percent cut in funding if the current budget recommended by Gov. Bev Perdue and the North Carolina Senate is endorsed by the House. If so, e-NC insiders warn, the group will have to cut staff and cease offering matching funds to private companies to "incent" the Internet providers to expand high-speed services into rural and other areas lacking high-speed access.
