Golden LEAF Awards Over $24 Million to Help Bring High-Speed Broadband to Rural North Carolina

Source from:  PRNewswire 04/02/2010

The Golden LEAF Foundation announced today that it has awarded a $24 million grant in order to help secure $78 million in federal funds and leverage other private and public resources to bring broadband fiber to 69 counties across North Carolina. Sixty-seven of the 69 counties are currently underserved or partially underserved for broadband connections. "The expansion of broadband access in rural counties is critical to jobs, economic investment, education and communications," said Governor Bev Perdue. "The Golden LEAF Foundation has provided the critical matching dollars which will make this project possible. More than 1,000 jobs are associated with just the installation and creation of the network, and the lasting benefits to homes, schools and businesses will be significant." The $24 million grant, part of the Golden LEAF Rural Broadband Initiative, was awarded to the non-profit MCNC, to provide matching funds for round two of the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). If federal funds are forthcoming, MCNC will be able to implement a $111 million broadband fiber project and install 1,448 miles of new fiber through 69 counties in northeastern, northwestern, north central and south central North Carolina. The Golden LEAF Rural Broadband Initiative will greatly increase the broadband capacity and stabilize costs for 179 public school systems, community college campuses, libraries, universities, and other public institutions through direct connections to the existing North Carolina Research and Education Network (NCREN). MCNC has operated NCREN for the last quarter century. In January 2010, MCNC received $40M in the first round of federal funding to build out NCREN in the southeast and western portion of North Carolina. In addition to supporting key community anchor institutions, consumers and small businesses will benefit from agreements among MCNC and several private providers that will result in more broadband options for last-mile and wholesale connections. "These areas of the state are struggling to transition their economies," said Dan Gerlach, President of Golden LEAF. "The Foundation Board of Directors views this initiative as an opportunity to provide essential infrastructure, take advantage of federal matching dollars and invest directly in efforts to grow stronger communities. Access to fiber in these areas will help level the playing field by providing global connectivity for business and educational opportunities. Rural North Carolina cannot be left behind." "Available bandwidth should not be a limiting factor in access to education, receiving modern healthcare or seeking economic prosperity," said Michael A. Murphy, Chairman of the MCNC board of directors. "We are very appreciative of the Golden LEAF Foundation's provision of matching funds to the Golden LEAF Rural Broadband Initiative. If the initiative is funded these areas of rural North Carolina will not be on the wrong side of the digital divide." The Golden LEAF Board had previously awarded grants to MCNC and the Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise at UNC-Chapel Hill to assemble the federal grant proposal, enlist partners in the planning, identify matching fund resources, and develop a sustainable business model. Also under the Golden LEAF Rural Broadband Initiative, the Foundation Board awarded $136,000 to serve as match for the State Library of North Carolina's federal grant proposal to provide additional laptops, broadband access, and personnel to 35 libraries across North Carolina. This grant proposal is geared at providing additional resources for those communities with large numbers of job seekers who use public libraries for job search, resume development, and networking. The William and Melinda Gates Foundation also provided matching funds for the State Library proposal. About the Golden LEAF Foundation: The Golden LEAF Foundation is a nonprofit organization established in 1999 to help transform North Carolina's economy. The foundation receives one-half of North Carolina's funds from the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement with cigarette manufacturers and places special emphasis on assisting tobacco-dependent, economically distressed and/or rural communities across the state. The Golden LEAF Foundation works in partnership with governmental entities, educational institutions, economic development organizations and nonprofits to achieve its mission. The foundation has awarded 926 grants totaling more than $446 million since its inception. Enditem