NCREN Fiber Expansion Focuses on Agricultural Industry and Rural Markets

The North Carolina Research and Education Network (NCREN), a regional fiber network, is expanding, according to MCNC, the non-profit that operates it. The network operates in southeastern North Carolina. The expansion will connect communities between Sanford and Farmville in Greene, Harnett, Johnston and Wayne counties. The Golden LEAF Foundation is contributing $1,327,130 to the project, which has an estimated total cost of $2.5 million. The expansion will leverage 138 miles of newly built fiber and construct 18.5 additional miles. The emphasis will be on agriculture and rural areas. MCNC will enable residential connectivity via partnerships with wired and wireless And it will connect anchor institutions in education and healthcare.