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Focus Broadband says larger build nearing completion; USDA sign-off pending for Angola section
Summary
Focus Broadband told the Pender County commission its network serves about 6,800 addresses and more than 2,800 customers, and that USDA approval of a contract for the Angola section is the principal remaining step to complete the county build.
A Focus Broadband representative told the Pender County Board of Commissioners on April 7 that the company has increased service in the county and expects the remaining federal contract approvals to arrive in time to finish the project by the end of the year.
The presenter said service is now available to more than 6,800 addresses countywide (up from 5,500 in October 2024) and that more than 2,800 customers already have active installations — an increase of roughly 700 subscribers since the last update. Focus Broadband is completing multiple federal and state grant-funded phases; the Angola section remains under construction pending final approval of a USDA contract.
"We're finishing up in the areas you see that are highlighted...we are currently waiting on the USDA to approve the contract so we can sign the agreements with the contractors and move forward with that," the presenter told commissioners. The company representative said the USDA approval timeline is uncertain — "it may take another two weeks or another two months" — but that even in the longer scenario work could be finished before year-end assuming no unexpected federal delays.
Commissioners asked whether the "coming soon" areas on the map had target dates. Focus Broadband said completion of the high-priority phases could be achieved by the end of this year, but that smaller "donut-hole" addresses left without service after the main build would be filled by additional state grants and programs (for example, the Cavs grant) because reporting changes moved from census-block to address-level mapping.
The presenter framed the project as having been under way since 2019 and said the cost and timeline had been extended compared with early estimates. The company credited county staff and federal/state grant partners with enabling the fuller buildout. Commissioners and staff discussed outreach to remaining, unserved households and the need to coordinate final grant and contractor steps once USDA approval is issued.
The broadband update closes with the company offering to provide a revised coverage map and answer follow-up questions; commissioners requested more precise timelines once USDA action occurs.
