by Christine Zhu, NC Newsline
March 23, 2026
Thousands more rural North Carolinians will receive access to high-speed internet by the end of 2026, following a nearly $26 million state investment announced Monday.
The awards come from the Stop-Gap Solutions program, administered by the N.C. Dept. of Information Technology’s Division of Broadband and Digital Opportunity.
The additional funding targets 5,161 homes, businesses and community anchor institutions in 66 counties across rural areas across the state.
“These broadband projects will ensure more families can soon access telehealth, students can complete their homework, businesses can compete in larger markets, and communities can thrive,” Gov. Josh Stein said in a statement.
The program aims to broaden high-speed internet access for households, facilities, businesses and communities in North Carolina. It uses funds from the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to expand “last mile” broadband line extensions for individuals and small pockets of businesses and homes in hard-to-reach areas, according to the statement.
“High-speed internet access is the foundation for health care delivery, public safety operations, workforce development, and economic growth in our state,” NCDIT Secretary and state Chief Information Officer Teena Piccione said in a statement. “This program allows us to move with urgency and precision to connect more North Carolinians.”
NCDIT has contracted more than $670 million for broadband projects reaching completion in 2026, according to the statement. These projects will connect more than 252,000 homes and businesses.
The department has also awarded almost $50 million to state government agencies, local governments, community organizations and nonprofits which have provided 40,965 computers and training to 66,410 people, according to the governor’s office.
NC Newsline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. NC Newsline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Laura Leslie for questions: info@ncnewsline.com.
