North Carolina will send $50 million in grants to internet service providers to repair and rebuild broadband infrastructure in western North Carolina, Gov. Josh Stein announced earlier this month.
A year after Hurricane Helene knocked almost the entirety of western North Carolina offline, large swaths of the region remain offline or with limited connection.
“We are working hard to rebuild western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene, and that includes making sure folks have access to high-speed internet services,” Stein said in a statement.
“With these investments, western North Carolinians can stay connected and more easily get back on their feet – whether seeking resources, applying for a job online, starting a business, or going to school,” he continued.
The grant program was formally created through legislation Gov. Stein signed in August, and uses federal funds sent to the state from the American Rescue Plan Act.
Internet service providers seeking to apply for grant funding may do so now through Nov. 24 at a website provided by the North Carolina Department of Technology (NCDIT).
“Connectivity is essential to resilience,” said NCDIT’s Teena Piccione. “As we help western North Carolina recover from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene, restoring broadband service is critical to ensuring communities can rebuild stronger, safer, and more connected than before.”
