Alexander County is pleased to announce that approximately 150 local homes will have access to broadband internet following an announcement on September 5th by the NC Department of Information Technology. Spectrum (Charter Communications) partnered with the county to apply for funding from the Completing Access to Broadband (CAB) program, which totaled $919,437.35. The county match for the grant is only $1, which will come from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. Spectrum is investing $162,254, making the total project investment more than $1 million.
“This is very exciting news for Alexander County and the residents who live in these areas,” said Marty Pennell, Chairman of the Alexander County Board of Commissioners. “We are very appreciative of this state grant, and are happy to partner with Spectrum on this important project that will expand broadband service to unserved areas of the county at no cost to our taxpayers.”
CAB grants were awarded in 14 counties across the state, totaling $22 million that will connect 6,012 households and 164 businesses to high-speed internet. These grants add to the nearly $348 million in GREAT (Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology) grants awarded in 2022 and 2023. The GREAT grant and CAB program provide matching grants to internet service providers that partner with individual North Carolina counties to compete for funding to expand high-speed internet service to unserved and underserved areas.
“We understand the need for broadband expansion in Alexander County and will continue to explore avenues to help connect as many households and businesses as possible,” said Shane Fox, County Manager. “We’re thankful for this partnership with Spectrum and for the funding awarded by the state. Together, we are enhancing the lives of citizens who want and need high-speed internet.”
All CAB program grantees must participate in the state’s Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides eligible low-income households a $30 per month discount on high-speed internet service.
“Gov. Cooper, his administration, and the North Carolina Legislature have shown tremendous leadership in embracing public-private partnerships as a vital strategy for connecting unserved communities,” said Brian Gregory, Vice President of Government Affairs at Charter Communications, which operates the Spectrum brand of connectivity products and services. “Through the CAB grant program, Spectrum joins with state and Alexander County officials to bring gigabit broadband and more to hundreds of families and small businesses.”
In Alexander County, Spectrum will expand broadband infrastructure on the following roads (number of homes in parentheses): Mountain Ridge Church Road (26), Vashti Road (20), Russell Gap Road (17), Gus Pennell Lane (11), Blankenship Road (10), Ridgeway Drive (8), All Healing Springs Road (7), Cherokee Lane (6), Lawson Childers Road (6), Poplar Valley Lane (6), Bentley Farm Lane (5), Lona Daniels Loop (5), Daniels Ridge Road (3), Hickory Drive (3), Hidden Valley Road (3), Vashti Fire Dept. Road (3), Bethel Church Road (2), Bobby Godfrey Lane (2), Mays Hideaway Lane (2), Mt. Olive Church Road (2), Stonie Burke Drive (2), Oakwood Baptist Church Lane (1), Queen Ridge Road (1), and Ridgeway MHP Lane (1).
The project deadline is December 31, 2026.