North Carolina Broadband Expansion Project

planned

Governor Josh Stein announced the launch of a major broadband project throughout North Carolina aimed at connecting more than 93,000 homes, businesses, and community anchor institutions. The project follows federal approval of the state's Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) plan and budget, with $319 million in BEAD funding approved to start the first wave of broadband projects. The program is administered nationally by the NTIA and at the state level by the North Carolina Department of Information Technology, with a total allocation of $1.53 billion. Additionally, nearly $700 million in American Rescue Plan Act-funded broadband projects have been launched, scheduled for completion in 2026 to extend internet access to over 257,000 homes, businesses, and community anchor institutions.