Raleigh, NC – The North Carolina Department of Information Technology (NCDIT) Division of Broadband and Digital Equity has announced that CarolinaLink member SkyLine SkyBest (SkyBest Communications, Inc.) was a recipient in the state’s latest round of Completing Access to Broadband (CAB) program awards. Through this project, SkyLine SkyBest will provide high-speed internet access to 805 underserved homes or businesses in Avery County, which was one of several North Carolina counties heavily impacted by Hurricane Helene this past fall.
"Thanks to these projects, North Carolinians across the state will be getting high-speed internet access so they can work, access online learning opportunities, participate in telehealth, and build a stronger state economy," said NCDIT Secretary and State Chief Information Officer Teena Piccione.
In the announcement, NCDIT shared that the $31 million in CAB program projects will connect 10,810 households and businesses in 14 counties to high-speed internet. These projects will be funded by more than $22.1 million from the federal American Rescue Plan, which is administered by NCDIT, and by nearly $9.6 million from the selected broadband providers. This latest round of CAB program funding adds to the $516 million in GREAT Grants and previous CAB funding awarded to connect close to 190,000 North Carolina households and businesses. More CAB awards are expected to be announced throughout the month.
“No matter where you live in the state, you should have access to high-speed internet,” said Governor Josh Stein. “Broadband is critical to providing more economic opportunity to every corner of the state, and I am proud to create a stronger and more connected North Carolina for every person and small business owner.”
As part of the CAB program’s procurement process, counties can partner with NCDIT to identify areas in need of high-speed internet access, solicit proposals from prequalified internet service providers and quickly make awards. In previous CAB announcements, CarolinaLink members RiverStreet Networks, Surry Communications, FOCUS Broadband, SkyLine/SkyBest and Star Communications all received CAB funding to serve addresses in Avery, Chowan, Cumberland, Perquimans, Stokes, and Wilkes counties. However, all seven of CarolinaLink’s members have been prequalified and are eligible to participate in the CAB program in 2025.
For more information about CarolinaLink and their members, visit www.carolinalink.org.