This Rural Development investment will provide FOCUS Broadband with $2.9 million in funding to build a 100%, 60-mile fiber optic network capable of delivering 1 Gigabit broadband speeds past nearly 1,200 homes and 19 businesses in the Tolarsville and Howellsville communities of Robeson County. FOCUS Broadband will contribute $450,000 in matching funds to complete this project. This system will expand access to economic, educational, health care and public safety opportunities.
This Rural Development investment will provide Star Telephone Membership Corporation with $2.3 million in grant funding to construct an approximately 120-mile Fiber-to-the Premises system. Star will contribute $356,750 in matching funds to complete this project. This system will expand access to economic, educational, health care and public safety opportunities for 610 unserved residents and 15 businesses in Sampson County. Funds also will help build a community center where residents can access the free high-speed internet for up to two years.
This Rural Development investment will be used to construct a 42.65-mile Fiber-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network passing 347 households located in the Fair Bluff community of Columbus County, N.C. This network will support service at levels up to 1 Gbps for each subscriber and will provide significant benefits to Columbus County by improving their economy, access to education and quality of life. A community center will be provided where residents can access the internet free of charge for at least two years.