[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6663119,"mediaKeyId","2391505-4f334e78398581c65625db8815e602ad","parentId",2391505,"title","Chatham County adopts digital inclusion plan; grant funding to provide training and laptops","audioSeconds",681,"startMs",3209000,"endMs",3890000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2391505-4f334e78398581c65625db8815e602ad&start=3209&end=3890","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2391505-4f334e78398581c65625db8815e602ad/thumbnail_3209000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6663119/North-Carolina/Chatham-County-adopts-digital-inclusion-plan-grant-funding-to-provide-training-and-laptops","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6663119-1490f88c29190730b6828e581da620dc/orig.mp4?Expires=1775128350&Signature=G8Vy6K9pax9YoTAzGYxVvDhSTUdtmI6wz41ZNsCtG3YwUPuhX5uVYF3VhSD5wq7YP-dm~u1BYWDy6PM6gP1ml-L8n80S~9NKXHJomA1oqPckX4ny~n143jIoVptIFVhOCZRJfZZpUoRGoTRfkWrefaRkXHIk5DsoxAmI6nTrsswvDIFtFwmzVIN3N-8IY8o6P8wPsqfenpXV0GfIoffTYVoFeX1HCdyHng9ojGWR1eYVgu8sPJEnOBniV8O48y8JNvLLfdiIbJl38gdniYzbpSO99NpkMIPEoN2ivLATLnlbbgG8DgMy3PXOcL5Xq3VN7PXktZe2-c9HYWPHtzw7SA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Chatham County Schools","date","2025-02-26T00:14:24.263Z","article","County staff presented the Chatham County digital inclusion plan and updates on broadband grant programs, including state and federal efforts and a new regional digital‑equity award that will fund training and devices.

Brenton Hart, identified in the meeting as the county presenter on digital inclusion, said the county adopted a comprehensive digital inclusion plan in December that organizes work into three pillars: availability (broadband infrastructure), access (affordability and devices) and adoption (digital literacy and technical support). Hart said the county’s plan includes goals to improve broadband mapping, coordinate connectivity for unserved areas and form a digital inclusion steering committee with partners including the schools.

Hart summarized grant activity affecting Chatham County. He said a World Digital Opportunity Fund award covered about 3,448 census‑block locations but noted the federal grant was “aborted” (the presenter said no federal funding was used to build networks in those locations). Hart also described two state Great Grant awards (one through AT&T and one through BrightSpeed/Bridal Speed — as presented) and said the combined project costs and matches for the state awards amount to about $8.1 million. He said the state’s Completing Access to Broadband (CAB) program will serve about 2,555 locations and that the county had initially allocated about $2 million as a match; per Hart, recent state law changes meant the state is providing that match so the county’s $2 million allocation is no longer required.

Hart described a North Carolina Department of Information Technology‑funded digital equity award administered by Central Pines Regional Council (CPRC) on behalf of Chatham and Durham counties. He said the CPRC award totals $800,000 and will support digital‑inclusion activities, including free digital literacy classes and a device distribution program that will make about 500 laptops available to residents who complete training. Hart said the program will prioritize populations such as low‑income residents, people with low literacy or limited English proficiency, justice‑impacted individuals, seniors and racial or ethnic groups.

Hart also noted county tools to help residents locate grant‑funded expansion on maps and referenced a county GIS broadband hub that aggregates state mapping and grant information. Commissioners and board members discussed provider territories and proprietary business decisions affecting expansion; Hart said there are generally no territorial prohibitions except where federal funding constraints or session laws apply.

The presenter invited libraries and community partners to help enroll residents; Hart said some library classes were scheduled for March and that CPRC will provide pre‑ and post‑test data for program participants. County staff provided links and packet materials with the digital inclusion plan and mapping resources for follow up.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","February 25, 2025 - Board of Education - Joint meeting w/ the Chatham County Board of Commissioners","oneSentenceSummary","County staff presented the newly adopted digital inclusion plan and described state and federal grant efforts to expand broadband and digital literacy, including an $800,000 award to Central Pines Regional Council that will support training and distribute laptops to residents who complete courses.","taxTitle","Chatham County Schools, School Districts, North Carolina","taxId",38252,"location","North Carolina","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6663124,"ORED forecast: Chatham County Schools face substantial enrollment gains if infrastructure opens by 2027",1065,2041000,3106000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2391505-4f334e78398581c65625db8815e602ad&start=2041&end=3106","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2391505-4f334e78398581c65625db8815e602ad/thumbnail_2041000.jpg","/articles/6663124/North-Carolina/ORED-forecast-Chatham-County-Schools-face-substantial-enrollment-gains-if-infrastructure-opens-by-2027","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6663124-b1647d7acfd6087836589de5c91828ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1775128350&Signature=OMCDN7LJDX2i9To5pe2GTiYMVI-hwrW~xK~5etEn4RQWdK6eeLuQyzvSI4fe8IfR6BSUb9pXF6vmRt5vg~EUyKYE2kEC0267QUNY3GBpyV9M161EiXaaqkt6aH2Ct74mDbzq3IOrFIugnRtBEoVag0DoqYkXgddQXH4TzcPWOjkssQWHLiBkrweKQ83vxSkIsNWbCXYUZOxGxBq6zBCptnteLD4phk3UeAOPm48vEfYUx0EemaN2Ysz93q2wFgVSn477P-tdtJI9fCYTPlBwfojtUzu5n4Cxrriy8F4ZzuJOQ1PmDonMbQ3iBXlQob14Foc1gMI-ZPgGnUcrMDhWAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Thomas Dudley and Brian Godfrey of the Office of Research, Evaluation and Design (ORED), part of NC State University's Institute for Transportation Research and Education (ITRI), presented a multi‑scenario enrollment forecast for Chatham County Schools and explained the methods behind their projections.

Dudley introduced the presenters and said ORED is an “unbiased third party evaluation research group” that produces membership forecasts and attendance‑zone work for school districts. He told the boards that resident live births are a critical long‑lead indicator for kindergarten enrollment and that sustained high birth counts observed in recent state data informed their projection.

Godfrey described the development inventory ORED used, saying the county still has a “substantial amount” of residential development pending. He told the meeting that, apart from Chatham Park, ORED is monitoring 51 pending residential developments across jurisdictions that together represent “over 10,000 dwelling units.” The presenters said two major wastewater projects—the force main from Pittsboro to Sanford and an expansion of the Siler City wastewater facility—are expected to be complete in 2027 and that completion would materially increase the pace of residential building and corresponding student generation.

Dudley described the enrollment tables ORED produced, which show school‑by‑school capacity versus forecasted membership over a 10‑year horizon. He said cells are color‑coded by utilization and explained the distinction between “brick and mortar” capacity (the building) and “serviceable” capacity, which includes modular units. When asked if the tables included mobile classrooms, Dudley confirmed the distinction and said serviceable capacity accounts for modular units and trailers.

Presenters noted modeling for Chatham Park used both developer timelines for lots coming online and student‑generation rates based on a case study of Briar Chapel. Dudley said there are six forecast variants in the report and that including Chatham Park materially increases red (over‑capacity) cells in the tables. He characterized the baseline forecast as unusually large: “of those roughly 250 enrollment forecasts, what you just saw is the most aggressive forecast we've ever produced,” referring to ORED’s experience since 1990.

Dudley also compared the most recent prior projection to actual membership, noting ORED projected 8,826 students for the current school year while the actual membership was approximately 8,775. The presenters emphasized uncertainty and included a higher‑growth scenario tied to additional developments that could add roughly 1,000 students to the 10‑year total if sewer and water capacity is expanded as anticipated.

Board members and county commissioners at the joint meeting said the school‑level forecasts and infrastructure timing are valuable for county and transportation planning. The presenters provided the enrollment tables and supporting materials for further review.","ORED (ITRI) presenters told a joint meeting that a baseline enrollment forecast plus pending residential development could produce unprecedented student growth for Chatham County Schools, with major sewer projects in 2027 flagged as a key enabling factor.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6663128,"Chatham Park reports new hotels, housing and amenities as southern buildout approaches",274,808000,1082000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2391505-4f334e78398581c65625db8815e602ad&start=808&end=1082","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2391505-4f334e78398581c65625db8815e602ad/thumbnail_808000.jpg","/articles/6663128/North-Carolina/Chatham-Park-reports-new-hotels-housing-and-amenities-as-southern-buildout-approaches","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6663128-5ec7f316621875094fc99c9fcaccd7c9/orig.mp4?Expires=1775128350&Signature=OUDyNmmn4zBZD45ikReukHzOeWMQyFNdYHrmx9Dizsm0Xt0g6ZVbQZD-mcuL4A3feKUtiAm6GNuh2jKjJGnwSadW71v01lGN0YYvzsBP~uTxWOZ~prYzv5WlH58PeJRAicO30LTKKWBdnl5A65XQqZTO3OPBYxghQuJFprFNbUCQqxrX-mKlZ5n1xAvCmEinrv5hKm9QtXe6gzCUiAkKvh7t~hiqMf15Gxg2KqYHJsiz~~sXMkAWY9HAgiActmLECqPj3wxKrUG~39oG5IqDUZOXVaQ~rQJnRsQmnfwDz5oQVLpEyHTRl8ixyDzwOdN1YCCG33JjpDI9wp-WSVTRAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chatham Park representatives gave a winter 2025 update that outlined new commercial openings, ongoing residential construction and planned community amenities as the large master-planned development moves into its southern section.

The presentation noted several 2024 openings, including a 120-key Hampton Inn and Suites and multiple restaurants and medical offices in Northwood Landing. A speaker identified as a Chatham Park representative said, “This is your Chatham Park development update for winter 20 25.” The presentation said the Medley apartment complex (312 units) is roughly 30% leased and that a 4-field soccer park site east of the YMCA is under site work.

The update highlighted upcoming and in-progress projects: the Chatham Park YMCA is preparing for a grand opening in March and will include two outdoor pools (one heated for year‑round lap swimming) and covered outdoor activity space. Chatham Parkway construction is under way; presenters said completion is scheduled “sometime in 2027,” after which the parkway will connect to major routes north and south of Pittsboro. Developers also said site work is underway for multi‑story townhomes and that a future Chatham County school site of almost 28 acres is planned within the Novi area.

Developers summarized overall scale and housing targets for the project. A presenter said Chatham Park now covers about 8,500 acres and that total developable units could be “about 27,000,” with an expectation that roughly 5,000 to 6,000 of those units will be apartments. The presentation also said approximately 1,600 of the 27,000 units will be affordable housing, reflecting a 7.5% affordable housing requirement embedded in Chatham Park’s planning framework.

The update named other institutional and commercial plans: an Encore by David Weekley Homes 55‑plus community with clubhouse and recreational courts; a planned UNC Health medical campus on a recently acquired 43‑acre site in the Innovation District; and a 60,000‑square‑foot light industrial flex building that is preparing to welcome a first tenant. Presenters also cited major regional employment projects drawing industrial interest to nearby sites.

Speakers took questions from the joint meeting. When asked to clarify the affordable‑housing categories, a Chatham Park representative explained the development will offer units targeted to households at 60% of area median income, 80% of area median income, and an 80–120% band characterized as “workforce housing.” On parkland, presenters said Chatham Park will provide about 700 acres of parkland and over 2,000 acres of open space in addition to neighborhood greenways.

The presentation included a timeline note that sewer work to support the southern section is already underway in places and that construction of the southern section was anticipated to start in roughly six months. Developers also referenced a large Disney project within the northern section (described as 1,500 acres with 4,380 units and a substantial clubhouse) and said several homebuilders are active or preparing to build in different village areas.

Chatham Park materials and a short video were offered as supplementary information; presenters directed listeners to chathampark.com for additional details.","Developers presented a winter 2025 update on Chatham Park, describing recent commercial openings, housing under construction, an upcoming YMCA grand opening and infrastructure timelines tied to a 2027 completion for key road and sewer projects.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Chatham County adopts digital inclusion plan; grant funding to provide training and laptops

ORED forecast: Chatham County Schools face substantial enrollment gains if infrastructure opens by 2027

Chatham Park reports new hotels, housing and amenities as southern buildout approaches