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Commissioners Brown and Fraley - County Manager - Resolution in Support of a Charter Communications Application to North Carolina Department of Information Technology Division of Broadband and Digital Equity Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) Grant Program and Charter Communications Desire to Expand Broadband Infrastructure to Unserved Areas of Gaston County
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STAFF CONTACT
Matthew Rhoten, Deputy County Manager
BUDGET IMPACT
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BUDGET ORDINANCE IMPACT
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BACKGROUND
Access to broadband and high-speed internet are critical infrastructure investments that will drive the growth of communities in the 21st century. It is a critical need for both residents and businesses in our community to assist with students' ability to learn at school and home, to expand job opportunities and attract new businesses to Gaston County, and to improve the health, safety and general welfare of the community. The North Carolina Department of Information Technology Division of Broadband and Digital Equity recently announced $350 million in grant funding for Tier 1 and 2 counties called the Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT).
Charter Communications has indicated a desire to submit a GREAT grant application by May 4, 2022. If approved, the grant will allow 178 additional resident and business addresses access to the Spectrum Fiber lines in three areas that are currently unserved by high-speed broadband service. To improve the competitiveness of their application, Charter has requested to partner with Gaston County in an effort to leverage up to 85% of the total project cost. As required by the grant guidelines, both Charter Communications and Gaston County will share in contributing the required matching funds if selected for a grant award. Approval of this Board Action and attached Resolution affirms the County's support of the Charter Communication application to the GREAT Grant program and a contribution toward th...
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