FOCUS Broadband Completes Two GREAT Grants in Duplin County (NC)

FOCUS Broadband has completed work to bring fiber optic high-speed internet to rural communities near Magnolia, Rose Hill, and Teachey (NC). These projects were made possible through two grants totaling more than $2.5 million dollars awarded in 2020 through North Carolina's Growing Rural Economies through Access to Technology (GREAT) Grant Program as well as the Special Supplementary Round of the GREAT Grant Program. FOCUS Broadband contributed more than $1 million dollars in matching funds to bring service to these rural areas in Duplin County. With the completion of these grants, more than 1,000 residents and businesses in these areas can now enjoy the benefits of fiber optic internet with speeds up to 1 gigabit. In 2022, FOCUS Broadband received a third GREAT Grant for Duplin County to serve an additional 948 homes in the communities of Chinquapin, Cypress Creek, and Beulaville. FOCUS Broadband will invest $535,755 and Duplin County Government will also invest $150,000 to bring high-speed internet to these areas. In total, FOCUS Broadband has secured more than $6.8 million in GREAT Grants for Duplin County and will invest more than $2.3 million to complete these projects.