MCNC, the non-profit owner and operator of the North Carolina Research and Education Network (NCREN), announced that 22 community anchor institutions (CAIs) now have direct broadband connections on MCNC-maintained fiber network facilities from Greensboro to Hamlet.
Additional CAIs connected include:
- Allen Public Library (formerly Biscoe Public Library)
- Asheboro City Schools
- Asheboro Public Library (formerly Randolph Public Library)
- Currie Memorial Library
- Daymark Recovery Services - Randolph Center
- Daymark Recovery Services - Richmond Center
- Greensboro Central Public Library
- Guilford County Schools
- High Point Regional Physicians Network - Asheboro Cardiology
- High Point Regional Physicians Network - Asheboro Neurology
- Kemp Sugg Memorial Library
- NC State Highway Patrol Troop D District
- Randleman Public Library
- Randolph Community College
- Randolph County Schools; Randolph Hospital
- Richmond County Health Department
- Seagrove Public Library
- Star Public Library
- Thomas H. Leath Memorial Library
- Triad Math and Science Academy
- Uwharrie Charter Academy
"Golden LEAF is proud to be a strong supporter of MCNC's mission to serve community anchor institutions across the state, especially in rural North Carolina," said Dan Gerlach, president, Golden LEAF Foundation. "Today's announcement builds on the MCNC track record of serving the state's broadband needs with reliability and affordability."
In 2010, MCNC applied for and received two U.S. Department of Commerce Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) awards totaling $104 million. In addition, MCNC raised $40 million in private matching funds required by the federal program ($24 million from the Golden LEAF Foundation, $8 million from the MCNC Endowment, $4 million from private-sector wholesale telecommunications company FRC, and an estimated $4 million through donations of land and existing conduit from individual community colleges, universities, and others including the Albemarle Pamlico Economic Development Corporation). No funding from the State of North Carolina was used.
MCNC completed the expansion of NCREN in 2013, which now spans 2,700 fiber network miles in 86 counties in the state.
"MCNC's vast network, history of innovation and operational excellence gives our state a real competitive advantage to create opportunities for employment in economically-distressed or rural communities," said MCNC President and CEO Jean Davis. "With the help of Golden LEAF and many others, MCNC is bringing connectivity levels in North Carolina to all-time highs on broadband infrastructure that is reliable, affordable and incredible."