Pat Brand
389 Country
Residents and businesses in Clay County are set to benefit from a major broadband expansion project aimed at closing the digital divide across North Carolina. The North Carolina Department of Information Technology’s (NCDIT) Division of Broadband and Digital Equity has announced the scope of work for the Completing Access to Broadband (CAB) program, targeting unserved and underserved areas.
Clay County is among the counties included in the initiative, which will bring high-speed internet to approximately 93,674 eligible locations statewide. The program builds on previous successes, where nearly $118 million was awarded to projects across 44 counties, connecting nearly 47,000 homes and businesses.
A Public-Private Partnership for Connectivity
The CAB program, a public-private partnership, involves collaboration between state government, county leaders, and prequalified internet service providers to identify project areas, outline work scopes, and fund broadband deployment. Supported by $400 million from the Biden-Harris administration’s American Rescue Plan, the initiative aims to provide affordable and reliable high-speed internet to more North Carolinians.
“With N.C. Session Law 2024-55 removing the requirement for counties to provide matching funds, the CAB program becomes even more accessible for communities like Clay County to address digital inequities,” the NCDIT stated.
What’s Next for Clay County
Internet service providers can now submit proposals to serve eligible locations, using tools like the NC One Map’s CAB Planning Tool to identify unconnected areas. Providers have until Dec. 13 to protest locations they already serve, ensuring accurate deployment plans.
Scopes of work for all participating counties, including Clay County, are available at ncbroadband.gov/active-cab-proposals, with evaluation criteria and submission instructions included. The final proposal deadline for providers extends into early 2025.
Governor’s Commitment to Bridging the Digital Divide
This expansion aligns with Governor Roy Cooper’s vision to ensure equitable access to high-speed internet across the state. The CAB program represents a significant step toward closing the digital divide, allowing more residents and businesses to access essential online resources for education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
For more details on the NCDIT Division of Broadband and Digital Equity and the CAB program, visit ncbroadband.gov.
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