The N.C. Department of Information Technology’s (NCDIT) Division of Broadband and Digital Opportunity today announced the launch of the $86 million Stop-Gap Solutions program to accelerate the expansion of high-speed internet infrastructure to eligible unserved and underserved rural households, businesses, community anchor institutions and state facilities in each county.
“Reliable, high-speed internet is essential infrastructure for education, healthcare, public safety, and economic opportunity,” said NCDIT Secretary and State Chief Information Officer Teena Piccione. “The Stop-Gap Solutions program allows us to move quickly and strategically through targeted, one-year investments while other, longer-term broadband projects continue to be built.”
Broadband providers that prequalified through the Broadband Expansion and Access Request for Proposals must submit application materials online as described in the Stop-Gap Solutions Scope of Work by 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 26, 2026.
“This program reflects our commitment to closing the remaining connectivity gaps, ensuring that no part of our state is left behind in today’s digital world,” said Annette Taylor, NCDIT Deputy Secretary for Broadband and Digital Opportunity. “By partnering with the prequalified providers, we can rapidly deploy infrastructure to create meaningful impact for families, businesses and institutions across the state.”
This Stop-Gap Solutions program will fund broadband line extension projects to connect individuals or small pockets of households or businesses that have not been reached through the Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology grant or Completing Access to Broadband program. The Stop-Gap Solutions program relies on the concept of leveraging and extending nearby infrastructure to make service available so that work may be completed in the timeline available. NCDIT must expend these program funds by Dec. 31, 2026. While matching funds are not required from broadband providers, the provision of match funding will be considered a strength in the evaluation criteria for this scope of work.
If funding remains after program awards, the division may identify additional eligible uses including rebuilding or replacing broadband infrastructure destroyed by Hurricane Helene or expanding connectivity to unserved and underserved state facilities.
More information about the Stop-Gap Solutions program, including the scope of work and eligibility details, is available on the NCDIT Division of Broadband and Digital Opportunity’s website at ncbroadband.gov.