North Carolina could have a ‘generational opportunity’ to expand broadband across state

North Carolina could be on the receiving end of more than a billion dollars to expand broadband internet access between the bipartisan infrastructure plan and the upcoming state budget. And that could lead to some of the largest-ever investments in broadband in a state with a rural population larger than any other, except for Texas. It still remains to be seen exactly how much North Carolina will get from the federal infrastructure bill, as the money is being distributed in a formulaic approach among 50 states and territories. The bill includes $42.5 billion for broadband infrastructure, of which each state will get at least $100 million at first. The rest of the $42.5 billion will be doled out via a formula-based grant program. Nate Denny, the deputy secretary of broadband and digital equity at the NC Department of Information Technology, estimates North Carolina’s share could come roughly in the $800 million range for infrastructure alone. That’s money that could be used to build out more fiber internet across the state, but could also include money for some other forms of fast internet, like fixed wireless or satellite internet. Gov Roy Cooper (D-NC)’s budget proposal would add $1.2 billion to the state’s efforts at making broadband more accessible, though it’s unknown what the final amount will be in the budget lawmakers are expected to put out in the coming week or whether Cooper will approve that plan. The NC Senate’s budget put infrastructure investments at around $330 million.