The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) gave the green light to the state’s proposal under the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, a milestone Governor Stein has been pushing to achieve for all North Carolinians.
This first wave of funding—part of a massive $1.53 billion total allocation—is set to transform the digital landscape for more than 93,000 homes, businesses, and community institutions that have long struggled with unreliable service.
"One Step Closer" to Universal Access
Governor Stein has made closing the digital divide a cornerstone of his administration's infrastructure goals. Following the approval, the Governor emphasized that this isn't just about cables and wires—it's about equal opportunity.
“Reliable high-speed internet opens doors of opportunity,” said Governor Josh Stein. “Broadband empowers students to learn, helps businesses grow, supports our health care system, and strengthens our economy. With this additional funding, we’re moving one step closer to connecting every household and community in the state.”
NCDIT Secretary Teena Piccione credited the Governor’s strategic, data-driven approach for reaching this critical step, which will primarily benefit North Carolina's rural areas.
A Two-Pronged Approach to Connection
While the new BEAD projects are scheduled to break ground in mid-2026, Governor Stein has already ensured that work is happening on the ground today.
Immediate Expansion: The Governor has already dedicated $670 million from the American Rescue Plan Act, which is currently bringing high-speed fiber to 250,000 locations by the end of next year.
Future-Proofing: With over $1 billion still remaining from the BEAD allocation, the Governor is already lobbying federal officials for the flexibility to use those funds for cutting-edge initiatives like AI training, cybersecurity, and telehealth infrastructure.
Leading the Digital Economy
Beyond just "getting connected," Governor Stein’s plan focuses on making North Carolina a national leader in the digital economy. In a recent letter to federal commerce officials, the Governor detailed how the state will use the remaining billion dollars to protect networks from scams, build a tech-ready workforce, and ensure that every household can afford and utilize the new high-speed connections.