The North Carolina Department of Information Technology (NCDIT) has allocated $4.4 million to Kinetic, a Windstream company, to extend high-speed fiber internet access to underserved areas in Cabarrus and Union counties.
This grant will allow Kinetic to expand its fiber-optic network, providing gigabit internet speeds to 1,392 locations that were previously unserved, with completion expected by the end of 2026.
“This is a monumental step forward in our mission to empower communities across North Carolina with the digital tools necessary for success in today’s connected world,” said Stacy Hale, Kinetic’s Regional President. “As a North Carolinian, I’m proud that Kinetic's rollout of 125 miles of new fiber to these two counties underscores our commitment to bridging the digital divide, ensuring residents and businesses will no longer be at a digital disadvantage.”
Kinetic will invest USD 1.9 million of private capital in this FTTH project as part of Kinetic’s multi-year USD 2 billion strategy to bridge the digital divide.
Giving North Carolinians’ Digital Access
North Carolina’s Completing Access to Broadband (CAB) program, supported by funds from the federal American Rescue Plan, local counties, and broadband providers like Kinetic, aims to ensure widespread access to affordable and dependable high-speed internet.
These efforts are part of a broader initiative that includes over USD 356 million in Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) grants across the state.
Together, these initiatives plan to connect over 140,000 households and businesses to high-speed internet, marking a substantial step toward achieving digital inclusion and equity in North Carolina.
"Our partnership with the NCDIT and local communities exemplifies what can be achieved when public and private sectors come together with a shared vision,” said Sarah Hardin, Kinetic’s VP of State Government Affairs for North Carolina. “We’re dedicated to ensuring that every corner of the state benefits from reliable and fast internet connectivity. This initiative represents a significant leap towards making that vision a reality for North Carolinians."
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