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Skyline/SkyBest updates Avery County broadband buildout, cites $10M first round and further grant awards
Summary
Skyline/SkyBest told Avery County commissioners it has completed a large first-round grant build and is deploying additional grant-funded remote facilities; company officials described contribution levels and timelines affected by Hurricane Helene.
Edward Henson, chief marketing and sales officer for Skyline/SkyBest, told the Avery County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 9 that the company’s grant-funded broadband projects have delivered service to hundreds of county locations and that further rounds will expand coverage.
Henson said the county’s first awarded grant (referred to as CAB/Cap 1), awarded in June 2024, totaled nearly $10,000,000 and reached about 956 locations across roughly 260 miles of construction, with Skyline contributing roughly $1.4–$1.5 million toward that build. He said a second award (CAB 2), granted April 1, is approximately $1,800,000 with a Skyline match of $566,000, intended to reach about 805 locations and about 39 miles of new construction.
“We’re the first one in the state to have that type of call and get that recognition,” Henson said, describing a kickoff webinar with the North Carolina Department of Information Technology (NCDIT) and noting county and company collaboration.
Henson outlined a hub-and-spoke approach using remote facilities in Riverside, Newland and Crossmore. He said the Riverside hub should go live within a week of the meeting, Crossmore in the fourth quarter and Newland in the first quarter of next year, while acknowledging delays caused by Hurricane Helene.
Henson emphasized Skyline’s cooperative model: “We put the remote facilities in and that serves the community,” he said, adding that cooperative proceeds are reinvested locally in scholarships, athletic grants and other community programs.
Commissioners asked about overlap and competitive providers. Henson said grant rules and state processes sometimes designate a census block as served if one customer in that block has service, which can block grant eligibility despite unreliable service for many residents. He described a challenge period when other providers may claim service and said Skyline will continue to pursue solutions and internal investments to reach unserved and underserved customers.
The manager and commissioners noted the county’s success securing multiple rounds of state and federal broadband funding, including an award of 81 locations under a separate broadband-equity program. No formal action or vote was required on the presentation; commissioners thanked Henson and moved on to the next agenda item.
Next steps: commissioners will continue supporting grant applications and follow progress on the announced remote facilities and remaining grant rounds.
