More Internet Funding for Avery County

According to Carolina Public Press, internet access is officially on its way to nearly 2,000 homes in Western North Carolina that currently lack a stable connection.  Clay and Avery counties have been officially awarded funding through North Carolina’s Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology, or GREAT, grant.

A total of more than $23.4 million in state grants will go to 12 North Carolina counties this round, the only one in our area is Avery County. Avery County manager Phillip Barrier said, “When you live in areas that are served (by internet providers), you have no idea what the other areas are going through.” Internet providers throughout the state can receive GREAT grant funding by submitting an application that maps out the broadband expansion project and the amount of money the provider is able to contribute to the project. Often, providers receive money from the counties in which they plan to expand services.

This was the case in Clay and Avery counties, where officials pledged American Rescue Plan Act funds — federal COVID-19 recovery money — to providers applying for GREAT grants. The provider in Avery County is Spectrum Southeast, LLC, according to a state release.

“Our board (of commissioners) sees this as the opportunity to get affordable and reliable internet to our schoolchildren in our community,” Avery County Manager Phillip Barrier said about the county’s decision to use ARPA money toward GREAT grant funding.

U.S. Census Bureau data shows that an average of only 56% of households in the 18 westernmost counties have access to the internet through cable, DSL or fiber –well below the state average of 68%. For additional details.