A better-connected community is often a more resilient community, and now even more Buncombe households and businesses will have the opportunity to be connected to high-speed internet.
Last week Governor Josh Stein announced more than $31 million in Completing Access to Broadband (CAB) program projects, which will connect 10,810 households and businesses in Buncombe and 13 other counties to high-speed internet.
“No matter where you live in the state, you should have access to high-speed internet,” said Governor Josh Stein in the announcement press release. “Broadband is critical to providing more economic opportunity to every corner of the state, and I am proud to create a stronger and more connected North Carolina for every person and small business owner.”
In Buncombe County, the NC Department of Information Technology announced the award of a CAB project to Frontier Communications. With a total project cost of $959,098, which includes no County matching funds, this award will provide high-speed internet access to 132 homes or businesses (6.35% of the County’s 2,079 eligible locations).
“Broadband has been a critical part of our investment in expanding educational and economic opportunities, especially in the rural parts of Buncombe County. We are thankful for Governor Stein’s support in our long-term efforts to bring broadband access to every part of our community,” says Commissioner Martin Moore.
Increasing broadband access is a priority for Buncombe County’s Board of Commissioners, and the County has partnered with North Carolina and other providers on multiple grant projects to bring high-speed internet service to more than 2,700 unserved households since 2020.
"Over the past five years, our targeted focus on understanding the needs and gaps of services in our community and pursuing strategies and funding to address those needs will benefit our community over the course of many years. I appreciate all our partners who continue to work with us on improving our infrastructure in Buncombe County,” notes Commissioner Terri Wells.