Source:  Press Release, 8/19/10

Gov. Bev Perdue on Wednesday announced that North Carolina has received $115 million in five federal recovery grants to extend broadband connectivity in North Carolina. Combined with previous grants, North Carolina has received over $255 million for broadband this year.  Gov. Perdue has joined North Carolina’s congressional delegation in personally advocating for North Carolina’s grant applications in Washington, D.C., during the past year.

These funds will create jobs and help spur economic development through expanded access to high-speed Internet in underserved areas.  This week's grants are part of the second round of Recovery Act funding for broadband projects from the U.S. Departments of Commerce and Agriculture.  North Carolina has already received over $140 million in recovery broadband grants.  

“Increasing broadband access will create new jobs up front and provide a boost for local economies to create even more jobs and a better quality of life in the near future,” said Gov. Perdue. “These improvements are especially important in rural and underserved areas of North Carolina.”