Department of Information Technology

Purpose: the Purpose of This Grant Is to Support Closing the Broadband Availability Gap and Support the Development of a Five-year Action Plan.activities to Be Performed: the Proposed Project Includes the Following Planning and Pre-deployment Activities: Research and Data Collection, Including Initial Identification of Unserved Locations and Underserved Locations Consistent With Rules, Regulations, and Processes Commission Has Established for Making Determinations in Broadband Data Maps; Publications, Outreach, and Communications Support; Providing Technical Assistance to Potential Subgrantees, Including Through Workshops and Events; Training for Employees of Broadband Program or Office of Eligible Entity or Employees or Political Subdivisions of Eligible Entity, and Related Staffing Capacity or Consulting or Contracted Support to Effectuate Goals of Bead Program; Establishing, Operating, or Increasing Capacity of a Broadband Office That Oversees Broadband Programs and Broadband Deployment in an Eligible Entity; and Costs Associated With Meeting the Local Coordination Requirements in Section IV.C.1.C of This Nofo Including Capacity Building at the Local and Regional Levels or Contracted Support. Expected Outcomes: the Outcomes of North Carolina's Proposed Project Are a Five-year Action Plan That Aligns With Governor Roy Cooper's Commitment to Closing the Digital Divide for North Carolina Residents. Governor Cooper Has Directed More Than $1 Billion of the State's American Rescue Plan Act Funding to Closing the Digital Divide by Addressing Access to High-speed Internet Infrastructure, the Affordability of Internet Service, the Availability of Devices in Low-income Households. More Specific Outcomes Include Making Targeted Investments Using a Variety of Broadband Infrastructure Tools; Improving Existing Programs of the Ncdit; Maximizing Public and Stakeholder Input Throughout the Development of the State's Five-year Plan; and Supplementing County Government Capacity Focused on Broadband Infrastructure and Digital Equity Planning and Program Delivery.intended Beneficiaries: the Intended Beneficiaries Are Unserved and Underserved Groups in the State of North Carolina With a Focus on Rural and Unserved Populations.subrecipient Activities: the Recipient Does Not Intend to Intend to Subaward Funds.