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Liz Cooper
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MONROE, N.C. (May 1, 2025) – Union County has been awarded a second state grant to expand broadband access to residents and businesses in unserved and underserved areas. The North Carolina Department of Information Technology (NCDIT) selected Union County to receive additional funding through the Completing Access to Broadband (CAB) program, a critical initiative aimed at closing the digital divide across the state.
Union County is one of 30 counties selected to receive the latest round of CAB funding totaling $63 million. The grant will help bring high-speed internet to 1,189 homes and businesses - covering nearly 29% of the 4,108 locations identified in the county as lacking reliable access. This is the second CAB grant Union County has received, underscoring the county’s commitment to digital equity and ensuring more residents can participate in today’s increasingly connected world.
“This investment in broadband is a game-changer for our county," said Jon Amelio, Union County's Information Technology Director. "With the continued support of state funding, it’s just not laying down fiber to 1,200 locations — it is laying the groundwork for economic growth, improved healthcare access, and educational opportunities for Union County. This is about connecting people and businesses to the future, no matter where they are located.”
The CAB program is designed to bring together counties, internet service providers, and the state to fund projects that expand broadband infrastructure. These projects will be awarded by NCDIT and are funded by more than $44 million from the federal American Rescue Plan and nearly $19 million from selected broadband providers. NCDIT updates dashboards at ncbroadband.gov/dashboards that display details and progress on programs funded by the federal American Rescue Plan.
“This additional funding represents continued progress toward our goal of ensuring every household and business in Union County has access to high-speed internet,” said Assistant County Manager Clayton Voignier. “Access to broadband is essential for education, job opportunities, telehealth, and economic development. We are grateful to the state for its investment in our community.”
The Union County Board of Commissioners established a Broadband Committee to develop recommendations on expanding high-speed internet access to residents and businesses. Read about the committee and their ongoing work.
“As chairman of the Broadband Committee, I am proud to see Union County included in this important step toward ensuring every resident and business has access to reliable, high-speed internet," said Allan Baucom, who serves as chair of the Broadband Committee. "Expanding broadband is vital for education, economic growth, and quality of life across our communities, and the Union County Board of Commissioners and the Broadband Committee are committed to making this vision a reality for all of Union County.”
For more information about the NCDIT Division of Broadband and Digital Equity and Governor Stein's plan to close the digital divide, visit ncbroadband.gov.
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