Nine library systems, four municipalities and two state agencies are partnering to improve internet access in rural communities in 14 counties.

Eric Boyette, secretary of the N.C. Department of Information Technology and state chief information officer, announced today the release of the “The Homework Gap in North Carolina,” a report that provides communities with strategies to bridge the homework gap that occurs when students are assigned homework that requires internet access but lack an internet connection at home.

The State Library of North Carolina and the Broadband Infrastructure Office of the N.C. Department of Information Technology announce the official launch of a new partner program with the Robeson County Public Library and the Public Schools of Robeson County. 

A new grant will help North Carolina explore how to better use technology to improve health in western North Carolina.

The application period for the 2018 GREAT Grant program will close Feb. 1 at 11:59 p.m.

Internet service providers interested in the new GREAT Grant Program can now apply for funding through an online portal, the state’s Broadband Infrastructure Office announced today.

The GREAT Grant Program is a $10 million grant program that allows internet service providers and electric membership cooperatives to compete for funding to lower financial barriers that prevent broadband expansion in rural communities. 

Western Carolina University has reached an agreement with Morris Broadband to expand high-speed internet service to rural, underserved areas of the Cullowhee Valley area near campus through the use of existing power poles owned by the university’s electricity distribution service.

Some North Carolina K-12 students without home internet access to complete assigned homework will soon receive assistance through a $250,000, two-year grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The grant was recently awarded to the State Library of North Carolina and the Broadband Infrastructure Office of the N.C. Department of Information Technology.

The Community Broadband Playbook provides communities with tools, templates, examples and ideas to build broadband strategies addressing their needs.