North Carolina has launched an $86 million broadband program to extend service to locations missed by earlier grant initiatives. The Stop-Gap Solutions Program will fund small broadband line-extension projects that can reach completion by the end of 2026.
The program uses federal American Rescue Plan Act funding and targets unserved and underserved homes, businesses, community anchor institutions, and state facilities. Projects will focus on extending service from existing infrastructure rather than building large new networks.
North Carolina Department of Information Technology administers the program through its Broadband Infrastructure Office. The state designed the program to complement earlier broadband efforts, including the Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology grant and the Completing Access to Broadband program.
The program prioritizes projects that can deliver symmetrical speeds of at least 100 megabits per second. Fiber deployments will receive preference. The state will evaluate applications based on technical feasibility, cost efficiency, provider performance, and financial stability.
Eligible locations rely on Federal Communications Commission broadband availability data released in December 2025. Applicants must submit proposals by January 26, 2026. The state must obligate and expend funds by December 31, 2026.