Tillis announces $24.9 million for high-speed internet in NC; Newly deployed network to benefit Bladen and Sampson Counties

By Staff Report, posted Aug 22, 2023 on BizFayetteville.com

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On Aug. 21, Senator Thom Tillis announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will be awarding $24.9 million to North Carolina to deploy a fiber-to-the-premises network to provide high-speed internet. This network will benefit 2,674 people, 84 businesses, 117 farms, and four educational facilities in Bladen, Columbus and Sampson Counties.

All funding comes directly from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Senator Tillis helped negotiate, write and pass into law. Tillis also played a key role in drafting the broadband provisions in the bill, which resulted in the largest investment to expand access to high-speed internet in the nation’s history.

The announcement is in addition to the $1.53 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law awarded to North Carolina in June for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, which will be used to expand access to high-speed internet through planning, infrastructure deployment and adoption programs. 

“I’m proud to have worked on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that will deliver more than $24.9 million to expand access to high-speed internet in Bladen, Columbus, and Sampson Counties,” said Senator Tillis in a press release. “This critical investment will help bridge the digital divide for North Carolina’s rural communities and deploy the resources that families need and deserve.”

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