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Northampton County reviews broadband expansion, county match for state CAB award
Summary
A county presentation described progress from a local fiber cooperative and county staff outlined a CAB Phase 1 MOU that would commit a roughly $351,414 county match toward an estimated $7.03 million broadband project; commissioners requested maps and further NCDIT briefings.
A representative of a local rural fiber cooperative, Sarah, told the Northampton County Board that her company focuses on building connections in sparsely populated areas and that it offers a 1 Gbps symmetric plan with no data caps and optional VoIP. "I am available for any questions," she said and provided a contact number for residents.
County staff briefed commissioners on two CAB (Completing Access to Broadband) items under the state program. Staff said the CAB 1 memorandum of understanding with the North Carolina Department of Information Technology would establish a county match of about $351,414.14 toward a project with an estimated total cost of $7,028,218.52. According to the presentation, state grant partners (described in the package as contributing 88%) and private providers (listed in the packet as contributing approximately 15%) supply most of the funding; the county's share was presented as about 5%.
Staff said the awardees identified in the current phase were "Spectrum Southeast and Bridal" as written in the board materials and that the MOU signature is required to accept the award. Commissioners asked how the county match would be funded; staff replied it would be taken from the county's unrestricted fund balance and that a budget amendment would follow to establish the project account.
Board members also pressed for clarity on overlap with other providers and for a detailed map showing served and unserved locations. During public questions, residents and the presenter discussed a Lasker pilot and outreach methods for students and seniors; Sarah described earlier outreach in Bertie County using school backpacks and explained that enrollment for subsidized service requires Lifeline verification and provider enrollment before the ACP (Affordable Connectivity Program) discount is applied.
The board did not record a final vote on the MOU during the portion of the transcript provided; staff said a later formal approval step or signature was required. Commissioners asked staff to schedule an NCDIT presentation to review served locations and next steps.
Next steps: staff will provide a map of served and unserved locations, return with any required budget amendment language for the county match, and arrange a technical briefing by the NCDIT/NCBI team.
