Broadband Satellite Program

The $1 million Broadband Satellite Resiliency Grant program awards funds to eligible entities to purchase equipment that can deliver satellite internet service, as well as related installation materials. Equipment must be for the grantee's own use and not for distribution to other parties. No portion of funds granted under this program shall be used for internet service subscriptions.

Eligible applicants are the following public and community-focused entities operating within North Carolina:

  • State agencies
  • Local government units (counties, cities, towns, and municipalities)
  • Volunteer fire departments
  • Community Anchor Institutions

Learn More

View the Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Broadband Satellite Resiliency Grant program.

As mandated by the legislation, NCDIT will strictly prioritize applicants operating within the 39 North Carolina counties designated inside the Hurricane Helene federal disaster area, including Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Forsyth, Gaston, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Iredell, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Mecklenburg, Polk, Rowan, Rutherford, Stanly, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Union, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin, and Yancey (including the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians) counties.

While applications are open statewide, NCDIT will further prioritize entities within these zones that directly provide emergency services, disaster relief, educational services, or local economic development.

Submit Interest by Sept. 30

UPDATE: DEADLINE EXTENDED THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30! 
Entities that wish to participate in the Broadband Satellite Resiliency Program must express interest by 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 30 by submitting the NCDIT Application and Certification Form.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tab/Accordion Items

No. We need each entity to submit its own application for the program with specific contacts and other details to determine eligibility and prioritization for applicants within the 39 counties designated inside the Hurricane Helene federal disaster area.

Yes. However, if there is more demand for the program than funding, entities requesting reimbursement for multiple pieces of equipment may not receive their full request.
 

No. Funding for broadband service must be paid separately using alternative funding streams. This includes, but is not limited to, ongoing monthly data plans, internet access fees or bandwidth subscriptions. Awarded funds will strictly cover the foundational product, cybersecurity components, and maintenance infrastructure provided in the portable “resilience in a box” package.

No. In October, NCDIT will post a list of eligible “resilience in a box” vendors that meet the specifications set forth by the agency. This list will be updated as vendors make solution packages available to NCDIT that meet the program’s resiliency and cybersecurity requirements. All purchases must be made from this list. 

The current deadline is September 30th.  Based on significant demand we do not plan to offer another extension. However, the required response for this Notice of Funding is more akin to a brief Expression of Interest along with a description of how the equipment will be utilized, although it does require an authorized representative to attest to the information submitted. 

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