County Authority on Broadband

Why are counties involved in broadband, and what can they do?

North Carolina counties have never been in a better position to expand broadband. Due to the opportunities provided through Completing Access to Broadband (CAB), Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology Grant (GREAT), and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, counties can partner with internet service providers and the NC Department of Information Technology (NCDIT) to help unserved areas and residents.

Historically, counties were limited in their authority regarding investment and expansion. Due to legislation passed in 2011, local governments were restricted from funding broadband projects. Counties were limited to developing partnerships with internet service providers who could choose where broadband expansion occurred. Since this legislation was enacted, counties have been advocating for increased flexibility to fund broadband, particularly in areas where the private sector has been reluctant to invest. Counties have long argued that they are seeking more authority to expand broadband in areas that the private sector has chosen not to invest in, often the most rural areas of the state.

Broadband expansion has been the top advocacy goal of the NCACC for several sessions. There have been many bills filed to allow for greater authority, however, increased authority has been limited until the North Carolina state budget was enacted in November 2021. The budget included provisions to give counties authority to provide grant funding for broadband projects in unserved areas of North Carolina. Counties now have legal authority to use either their direct allocation of federal ARPA dollars, or General Funds. However, counties are precluded from using property tax monies to fund broadband projects.

This expanded authority has given counties more of an opportunity to engage on broadband expansion through state programs and other narrower opportunities for direct partnerships with internet service providers. These new opportunities put counties in a great position to expand broadband across their communities.