North Carolina Directs $26M to Connect Rural Homes by 2026
State targeted hard-to-reach areas left out of larger broadband projects.
WASHINGTON, April 1, 2026 – North Carolina awarded nearly $26 million in stop-gap broadband grants to expand high-speed internet access to rural areas, aiming to connect 5,161 homes, businesses, and community institutions across 66 counties by the end of 2026.
“These broadband projects will ensure more families can access telehealth, students can complete their homework, and businesses can compete in larger markets,” Gov. Josh Stein, D, said in a statement.
The funding, announced in March, will support “last mile” broadband projects designed to reach small, hard-to-serve pockets that were not included in larger infrastructure deployments.
The North Carolina Department of Information Technology’s Division of Broadband and Digital Opportunity administered the program using funds from the federal American Rescue Plan Act.
Officials said the projects would extend reliable broadband service to underserved households, businesses, and community anchor institutions in rural parts of the state.
Several providers received funding, including Frontier Communications of the Carolinas, Lumos, and Brightspeed, which was awarded approximately $1.67 million to serve more than 2,400 locations.
The grants complemented broader state efforts to expand broadband access. NCDIT had already contracted more than $670 million for projects expected to reach over 250,000 homes and businesses by the end of 2026.
State officials said the program was intended to accelerate deployment by targeting areas that remained unserved after larger funding initiatives.
The stop-gap program was first announced in January as part of North Carolina’s broader strategy to close remaining connectivity gaps.
Member discussion