Early this week, the Division of Broadband and Digital Equity in the North Carolina Department of Information Technology (NCDIT) said that it had started the pre-qualification process for internet service companies to join the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program.
Nate Denny, NCDIT deputy secretary, said, “The BEAD program will connect all North Carolinians to affordable, reliable high-speed internet by 2030, enhancing opportunities for remote work, education, and telehealth.”
“This prequalification process will help both NCDIT and broadband providers prepare for upcoming BEAD project applications and subgrantee selection,” he told us.
Pre-qualification is not required, but it is highly suggested to make the application process go more quickly. On the website for the state broadband office, providers can find papers that give them advice.
The last day to pre-qualify is November 1, 2024, at 11:59 PM.
On August 12, the state’s office of technology announced that the Stop-Gap Solutions program would be getting $86 million in federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to help build out high-speed internet infrastructure.
These funds will be used to match funds for new Completing Access to Broadband program projects, North Carolina’s competitive grant program through ARPA, and broadband line-extension projects.
The office also stated on July 1 that it would be giving an extra $112 million to the Completing Access to Broadband program to connect 25,903 homes and businesses in 19 counties to high-speed internet.