Funding Will Expand Access to High-Speed Internet in Rural North Carolina
RALEIGH, N.C., Dec. 21, 2021 – U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development State Director Reginald Speight announced USDA is investing $5.2 million to build and improve access to high-speed internet rural infrastructure in North Carolina.
The investments reflect the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to Building a Better America by investing in rural communities and will help expand access to high-speed internet in people’s homes and businesses across the Tar Heel State.
“These investments will help to ensure rural North Carolinians have access to reliable high-speed internet to benefit from more educational, health care and economic opportunities in America’s smallest towns and communities,” said Speight. “Under the leadership of President Biden and Vice President Harris, USDA is committed to Building a Better America by investing in America’s rural infrastructure by expanding access to broadband.”
For example:
- Atlantic Telephone Membership Corporation will use a $2.9 million Community Connect grant to construct an approximately 60 mile Fiber-to-the Premises system. This system will expand access to economic, educational, health care and public safety opportunities for 2.5 thousand residents and 19 businesses in the communities of Robeson County. Funds also will help refurbish a community center where residents can access the free high-speed internet for up to two years.
- Star Telephone Membership Corporation will use a $2.3 million Community Connect grant to construct an approximately 120 mile Fiber-to-the Premises system. This system will expand access to economic, educational, health care and public safety opportunities for 1.8 thousand residents and 15 businesses in Sampson County. Funds also will help build a community center where residents can access the free high-speed internet for up to two years.
Background
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, Tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, promoting competition and fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.
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