• North Carolina is investing $63 million to expand broadband access to 18,889 households and businesses across 30 counties.
• Brightspeed will lead a project in Franklin County to connect 1,415 homes and businesses with high-speed internet.
• The project is funded by a combination of federal American Rescue Plan funds and contributions from broadband providers.

Governor Josh Stein of North Carolina announced a significant investment of over $63 million in broadband infrastructure. This initiative, funded through the Completing Access to Broadband program, aims to connect 18,889 households and businesses across 30 counties to high-speed internet. The project includes a focus on Franklin County, where Connect Holding II LLC (Brightspeed) will work to provide access to 1,415 homes and businesses, representing 53.80% of the county’s eligible locations.

• What: Expansion of high-speed internet access to homes and businesses.
• Who: Governor Josh Stein, NCDIT Secretary Teena Piccione, Connect Holding II LLC (Brightspeed), residents and businesses in 30 counties, including Franklin County.
• When: Announced recently (May 08, 2025), project implementation timeline not specified.
• Where: 30 counties in North Carolina, with specific focus on Franklin County.

The investment in broadband infrastructure highlights the growing recognition of high-speed internet as essential for economic development, education, and access to services like telehealth. Focusing on Franklin County, the project aims to bridge the digital divide by connecting a significant portion of the underserved population. The partnership between the state government and private providers is crucial for the successful implementation of this initiative.

North Carolinians’ need access to high-speed internet to connect them with friends and family, business opportunities, telehealth, and more. Broadband is key 21st Century infrastructure, and these partnerships between counties across the state and internet providers will help connect more North Carolinians.

Access to high-speed internet is not just about connectivity; it’s about empowering individuals and communities to thrive in the digital age. We will continue collaborating with counties and internet service providers to fund projects to expand high-speed internet access to all North Carolinians.

The broadband expansion project in North Carolina, particularly in Franklin County, represents a significant step towards bridging the digital divide and empowering communities. While the announcement provides an overview of the investment and planned connections, further details regarding the project's timeline and specific technologies being deployed would provide a more complete picture. The collaboration between state government and private providers is essential for the continued success of this initiative.