Economic Development

Broadband

Expanding Broadband in Montgomery County

Montgomery County is committed to ensuring all its residents have access to reliable, high-speed internet. Broadband is no longer a luxury—it is a necessity for education, healthcare, remote work, and staying connected in our modern world. Through strategic investments, partnerships, and programs like the GREAT Grant, CAB Program, and the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF), we are working tirelessly to bridge the digital divide and bring broadband access to every corner of our community.

Why Broadband Matters

Access to high-speed internet is essential for:

  • Education: Supporting online learning for students of all ages.
  • Healthcare: Enabling telehealth services for remote consultations and medical care.
  • Economic Development: Attracting businesses and fostering remote work opportunities.
  • Quality of Life: Keeping families connected and providing access to entertainment, news, and digital tools.

GREAT Grant

You can learn more about the GREAT grant at the NC OneMap website: NC Broadband Grant Addresses | NC OneMap 

Link to North Carolina Map identifying residents expected to receive broadband: NC Broadband Grant Addresses | NC OneMap

Search Directions: 

  • Click the above link to Access the NC OneMap
  • Once the map displays, select the magnifying glass icon in the top right corner to display a Search Box.
  • Enter the physical address you want to search for and select it from the drop-down menu once it displays. The map will zoom into the address you selected. 
  • A green dot identifies a resident in Round 1.
  • A yellow dot identifies a resident in Round 2.

Contact the North Carolina Department of Information Technology (NCDIT) with questions at [email protected].

Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF)

You can learn more about the RDOF Grant at the FCC Website: FCC RDOF Grant

Link to North Carolina Map identifying residents expected to receive broadband: FCC RDOF Map

Search Directions: 

  • Click the above link to access the NC OneMap 
  • Once the map displays, select the magnifying glass icon in the top right corner to display a Search Box.
  • Enter the physical address you want to search for and select it from the drop-down menu once it displays. The map will zoom into the address you selected.
  • The area will be shaded blue if identified for broadband service.  

Contact the FCC with questions at [email protected]. 

Completing Access to Broadband (CAB) Program

Montgomery County is actively collaborating with the North Carolina Department of Information Technology (NCDIT) through the Completing Access to Broadband (CAB) Program to expand high-speed internet access to unserved and underserved areas within the county.​

The CAB Program is a competitive grant initiative that enables counties to partner with NCDIT and internet service providers to fund broadband deployment projects. Established by N.C. Session Law 2021-180 and codified in N.C.G.S. § 143B-1373.1, the program is funded through the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

Governor Josh Stein announced new broadband expansion awards through the CAB program in April of 2025, and Montgomery County was among the 30 counties selected. Connect Holding II, LLC (Brightspeed) will bring high-speed internet to 1,661 homes and businesses—serving over 73% of the county’s 2,263 eligible locations.

This initiative complements ongoing broadband expansion efforts in the county, including projects funded by the GREAT Grant and the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF), with providers like Brightspeed and Spectrum actively deploying fiber infrastructure across Montgomery County.​

Check Your Address

To determine if your location is included in the CAB Program expansion or the GREAT and RDOF Programs:​

  1. Visit the NCDIT Broadband Infrastructure Status Map: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/85e0d89562714faa87ce03c8e36f8aba/ 

  2. Click the search bar labeled "Search Addresses in North Carolina" in the top left corner.

  3. Enter your physical address and select it from the dropdown menu.

  4. The map will zoom into your address, displaying relevant broadband project information.​

 

What Citizens Can Do

Take the NC Broadband Survey

 

Test Your Internet Speed

Measure your current internet speed and help collect valuable data to improve broadband services.

 

Quick Links