Rural communities are an essential part of the American experience. Millions of Americans choose rural living for its affordability, relaxed pace, access to open spaces and privacy, strong sense of community and beautiful landscapes.

But for many rural communities, access to reliable high-speed internet has historically remained a challenge. Without it, opportunities for job growth, economic development, education, and healthcare can be limited compared to urban areas.

Why is Fiber Internet Important for Rural Communities?

Fiber optic internet helps rural communities access online education, telehealth services, remote work opportunities, digital business tools, and modern communication services. Reliable broadband infrastructure also helps attract businesses and new residents, supports economic and career development, and improves quality of life in rural areas.

That’s why providers like FOCUS Broadband have made it a priority to expand high-speed fiber optic internet to rural communities. By closing the connectivity gap, rural areas are gaining access to the same opportunities as their urban counterparts.

The Rural Broadband Gap: Why It Matters

According to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) data, millions of rural Americans still lack access to high-speed internet, and some estimates suggest that number could be higher.

Closing the digital divide is essential for improving internet access in rural America and connecting rural communities to the global economy. With reliable high-speed internet, institutions such as K-12 schools, trade schools, and universities can expand their programs and reach more students. Businesses can compete on a larger stage, while residents gain access to the services and opportunities that urban communities have long relied on.

FOCUS Broadband's Efforts in Rural North Carolina

In the last decade, expanding broadband access in rural areas has become a national priority, with federal and state programs helping accelerate high-speed internet deployment in underserved parts of the country.

Programs such as the North Carolina Department of Information Technology’s (NCDIT) Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) Grants, Completing Access to Broadband (CAB), the Stop-Gap Solutions initiative, along with the USDA’sReConnect and Community Connect programs, are providing the funding and infrastructure needed to bring reliable, high-speed connectivity to rural areas in North Carolina.

FOCUS Broadband is proud to be at the forefront of these efforts, participating in these programs to expand high-speed fiber internet into underserved communities. That impact is reflected in the scale of our investments and the communities we’ve connected:

•          A $100 million self-funded project to upgrade the existing network in Brunswick County to 100% fiber optics
•          18 NCDIT GREAT Grants, connecting more than 22,000 addresses across Brunswick, Columbus, Robeson, Duplin, Pender, Bladen, Hoke, Chowan and Perquimans counties with approximately $50.6 million in funding
•          3 USDA ReConnect Grants, connecting more than 13,000 addresses in Columbus, Pender, Robeson and Scotland counties with $62.2 million in funding
•          A $2.9 million USDA Community Connect Grant bringing high-speed internet to rural communities in northeast Robeson County
•          7 NCDIT CAB Awards, expanding high-speed internet access to nearly 1,670 additional addresses across Chowan, Perquimans, Brunswick, Columbus and Pender counties with $7.6 million in funding
•          2 NCDIT Stop-Gap Solutions Awards, providing $1.65 million in funding to extend broadband service to 145 underserved addresses in Pender and Duplin counties
•          More than $34.2 million invested in matching funds to help build fiber optic infrastructure across ten rural North Carolina counties

In addition to rural broadband expansion, FOCUS Broadband is a proud member of CarolinaLink, which is comprised of seven broadband cooperatives in North Carolina. Together, the group advocates for policies that help expand reliable rural broadband access, promote digital inclusion and ensure that rural communities receive the same quality connectivity as urban areas.

How Fiber Internet Supports Local Economies

Access to high-speed internet is closely linked to local job creation and economic growth. Reliable broadband allows rural businesses to reach customers well beyond their zip code. It also gives these businesses access to goods, services and supply chains that urban competitors already rely on.

High-speed internet also makes rural communities more attractive to new businesses, developers, remote workers, and industries looking to expand or relocate. As investment grows, it can lead to new job opportunities, increased housing development, and stronger local economies.

FOCUS Broadband serves many business districts and industrial parks across our service area, including International Logistics Park and Mid-Atlantic Industrial Rail Park in Leland, Shallotte Business Park, Tabor City Industrial Park and Pender Commerce Park.

Together, these factors help create a more level playing field and support efforts to close the long-standing economic gap between rural and metropolitan areas.

How Fiber Internet Helps Keep Young Professionals in Rural Communities

For generations, young people left rural areas to find careers in cities. Fiber optic internet is helping shift that trend. In today’s economy, many professionals work remotely and companies can hire talented people, no matter where they live, as long as there’s a fast, reliable internet connection.

Access to fiber in rural areas means young professionals no longer have to choose between the career they want and the community they love. They can stay close to home, remain rooted in their communities and build meaningful careers without having to relocate.

Expanding Fiber Broadband Across Rural North Carolina

As fiber broadband expansion continues across North Carolina, rural communities are gaining greater access to remote work opportunities, online education, telehealth services, and economic growth.

FOCUS Broadband is proud to serve Brunswick, Chowan, Columbus, Duplin, Hoke, Pender, Perquimans, Robeson, Scotland and Bladen counties with our next-generation fiber optic network. We remain committed to helping rural communities access the reliable, high-speed internet needed to support education, healthcare, business growth, remote work and future economic development.