Gov. Perdue Announces $83 Million in Federal Recovery Funds to Expand Broadband Access in North Carolina

Press Release

Gov. Bev Perdue today announced that North Carolina has received $83 million in five federal recovery grants to extend broadband connectivity in rural parts of North Carolina. These funds will create jobs upfront, and help spur economic development in these areas through expanded access to high-speed Internet.

"Critical infrastructure improvements, such as increasing broadband access, are key to boosting local economies and creating jobs," said Gov. Perdue. "Just last week during my visit to Clay County I heard very clearly from a group of local women who came to visit with me how important high speed Internet is to the quality of life in North Carolina, especially in underserved and rural areas."

The grants are five of 126 federal Recovery Act broadband projects recently announced as part of a second round of funding. In January, as part of first round awards, MCNC received $28.2 million to build a 480-mile fiber-optic network for the North Carolina Research and Education Network (NCREN). In July as part of round two awards, $30 million in grants were awarded to expand broadband access in western North Carolina.

More information about the recently announced North Carolina broadband grants:

Utopian Wireless Corporation
This $460,993 award to Utopian Wireless Corporation will bring WiMax infrastructure to rural communities in and around Riegelwood, and will provide broadband access to underserved household and businesses. The Utopian Wireless Corporation's project stands to benefit approximately 3,000 people, 450 businesses and 30 other community institutions.

Country Cablevision Inc.
The $25.3 million award will promote social and economic development in a rural, economically distressed area of Western North Carolina by delivering critical digital services (TV, data and voice over internet protocol). More than 33,000 people, approximately 1,900 local businesses and 120 community institutions stand to benefit from this improved service.

Atlantic Telephone Membership Corporation
Through this $16 million award, Columbus County ACCESS will provide an all Fiber-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network for high-capacity data, voice and video services to critical community facilities and public safety entities. More than 8,700 people, approximately 270 local businesses and 35 community institutions stand to benefit from this improved service.

Wilkes Telecommunications Inc.
This $21.6 million award will provide last mile fiber optic high speed broadband, video and voice services to underserved rural areas in Wilkes County. Wilkes Telecommunication's project stands to benefit approximately 8,500 people, 3,300 businesses and 45 other community institutions. Wilkes Telecommunications estimates that this project will directly create at least 160 jobs upfront.

Lumbee River Electric Membership Corporation
This $19.9 million award to Lumbee River Electric Membership Corporation will provide advanced broadband services via a high-speed fiber optic network to end users in service areas in southeastern North Carolina. Lumbee River Electric's project stands to benefit approximately 27,000 people, 1,600 businesses, and 100 other community institutions.

Overall, the federal Recovery Act was to invest $7.2 billion in expanding broadband access nationwide -- $4.7 billion through the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and $2.5 billion funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service (RUS).

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