According to Carolina Public Press, Avery County plans on using $3 million of their $3.4 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to provide stable internet access. The funds will be used to provide broadband fiber to homes within a 60 mile range in southwest Avery County. Only 56% of Avery households have stable internet through fiber optics, cable or digital subscriber lines. The state average is 68%. Cable, fiber and DSL provide the most reliable internet connection however, these services require external infrastructure that carries a hefty installation cost. The county’s $3 million in ARPA funds will provide fiber access to 900 homes. The US Treasury’s main focus for the American Rescue Plan Act money is for ensuring stable broadband access. The state received an ARPA allotment separate from those given to local governments which is going into Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology grants, the Completing Access of Broadband program and the Broadband Stop Gap Solutions project. However so far counties have been unable to access these grants as the state has not yet announced which counties will receive them. Carolina Public Press article.
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