FOCUS Broadband and the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a $2.9 million dollar grant awarded to the cooperative at a ceremony held in Lumberton this morning. 

The grant, called the Community Connect Grant, is intended to “serve more rural areas in Robeson County,” the release said. 

FOCUS Broadband is the new name of ATMC. The rebranding decision was announced earlier this month. 

“ATMC continues to meet the needs of rural communities and the USDA is happy to partner with them,” said REginald Speight, the USDA staff director for North Carolina. 

The grant, along with $450,000 in matching funds from FOCUS Broadband will serve areas surrounding St. Pauls, Howellsville, and Tolarsville; the project will span roughly 22.88 square miles so that 1,200 unserved addresses will have fiber optic delivered high-speed internet. 

“We would like to thank the USDA and their efforts to support rural broadband,” said Keith Holden, CEO and general manager. “Rural communities are left at a disadvantage without access to high-speed internet. This grant project opens up endless opportunities for business, agriculture, and education, along with new job creation and access to telemedicine.”

Recently, FOCUS Broadband began servicing its first customers in Robeson County. 

For information on where FOCUS Broadband service is currently available in Robeson County, visit fasterrobeson.com or call FOCUS Broadband at 888-367-2862.