Foothills Regional Commission

Area Agency
on Aging

Community & Economic
Development

Workforce
Development

Housing
Program

Broadband Resources

North Carolina Broadband Map

The NC Broadband Infrastructure Office serves as statewide resource for broadband access, first responder communications and classroom connectivity initiatives led by the State of North Carolina. Mapping data serves an integral role in identifying current broadband access and adoption in an effort to identify the pockets of unserved or underserved areas around the state. Click here for more details.

NC Broadband Indices

The NC Broadband Indices (Indices) are two unique measures designed to create a more accurate picture of the state’s broadband access, adoption, and the resulting digital divide. The Indices will inform the design of programs, policies and tools to align with the specific needs of each community by helping to demonstrate need, identify the most beneficial types of investments, and determine where resources should be deployed.

To use this tool, click here.

Broadband 101

In 2019, NC Department of Information Technology’s Broadband Infrastructure Office hosted a Broadband 101 Workshop in Rutherfordton in coordination with the Foothills Regional Commission. The workshop focused on the challenges and opportunities facing the Foothills Region with respect to broadband internet connectivity. Click here to view the presentation materials from the workshop.

NC Broadband Technical Assistance

This program consists of an on-the-ground technical support team that is responsible for working with counties and communities across the state to provide needed broadband expertise. Click here for more information.

Unlocking the Digital Potential of Rural North Carolina

This Small Business Economic Development Rural Report Fact Sheet is available here.

GREAT Grant

The Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) Program funds the terrestrial deployment of broadband within unserved areas of economically distressed counties. 

The grants help bring high-speed internet to thousands of North Carolinians, businesses and farms in the most rural and remote areas of the state. These areas include both Tier 1 and Tier 2 counties as well as rural census tracts located in development Tier 3 areas that are currently served by less than 25 megabytes per second download and 3 megabytes per second upload speeds. Click here for more information.

Rural Development Broadband ReConnect Program

The Rural Broadband ReConnect Program furnishes loans and grants to provide funds for the costs of construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to provide broadband service in eligible rural areas. Click here for more information.