Governor Josh Stein Unlocks More Than $300 Million for Broadband Expansion Projects

Governor Josh Stein announced that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration has approved North Carolina’s proposal to bring high-speed internet service to homes and communities across the state under the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program. This approval paves the way for the state to award more than $300 million of its $1.53 billion allocation for projects to expand high-speed internet access to more than 93,000 homes, businesses, and other community institutions across North Carolina. After this approval, North Carolina will have more than $1 billion remaining from its $1.53 billion BEAD allocation. While states await guidance for how these funds can be used, Governor Stein recently wrote to the Secretary of Commerce and the NTIA Administrator urging flexibility for how funds can be invested to achieve universal secure high-speed internet and meaningful connectivity for all. His letter highlighted several potential initiatives the state would launch using these funds, addressing issues such as online safety and cybersecurity to protect the state’s networks and reduce scams, workforce development and artificial intelligence training, infrastructure resiliency, and eliminating household barriers to connectivity, which will support things like improved telehealth access and skills-building to improve health outcomes. These initiatives would secure and enhance broadband connections while driving innovation and economic growth and preparing North Carolina to lead in the digital economy.