Sara Nichols Helps Western North Carolina Access the World

Sara Nichols is a longtime rural advocate who has helped Western North Carolinians access broadband for most of the past decade. In 2023, she testified before the House Subcommittee on Communication and Technology on the future of rural broadband funding. In 2025, she was named the Tech Difference Maker of the Year by the NC Tech Association and also served as a 2025 Rural Summit broadband funding panelist. Hurricane Helene’s massive power outages solidified how the energy and economic development sides of her work connect since there’s no communications technology without power. The storm also allowed her to work with solar since the sun continues to shine when the power’s out. The deployment of solar-powered microgrids with Starlink satellite units means that not only means are some rural areas better served, but that they’re also prepared for future adverse weather events. Last summer, to further give Western North Carolina a collective voice on regional broadband issues, Sara helped create the Blue Ridge Broadband Alliance, a regional coalition already with 100+ members, including the Rural Center. All of this work is focused on closing the digital divide so that more western North Carolinians have the same access to the same technology and resources as many other areas of the state.