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Federal grant to boost broadband in rural areas A staff report

Several Cape Fear region counties will benefit from a $75.75 million federal grant to boost broadband connectivity in rural areas. Cumberland, Harnett, Lee, Moore, Robeson, Scotland and Columbus counties ar among the 69 targeted for investment through the grant, which follows $39.9 million awarded in January. The new grant means the private nonprofit Microelectronics Center of North Carolina will build and install more than 1,300 additional miles of fiber optic cables as part of the North Carolina Research and Education Network to serve schools and colleges. The network enables high-speed information sharing between schools and universities across the state, including interactive video that allows up to 20 locations at once to have a real-time conversation. NCREN already connects all the state's public universities and K-12 schools, plus most independent colleges and 20 of the 58 schools in the state community college system. The expansion will connect the remaining community and independent colleges, charter schools, 50 free healthcare clinics, 179 county health agencies and hospitals, 181 libraries and three of the largest state museums. U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan's office estimates the grant could create more than 1,000 engineering and construction jobs. The federal grant will be supplemented by $24 million from The Golden LEAF Foundation and $5.25 million from an MCNC endowment.

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RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Aug. 18 North Carolina benefits from over $140 million in two rounds of historic funding to MCNC to expand high-speed connectivity through the North Carolina Research and Education Network (NCREN) RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Aug. 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Department of Commerce announced today that MCNC, an independent non-profit organization that employs advanced networking technologies and systems to improve learning and collaboration throughout North Carolina's K-20 education community, has been awarded $75.75 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Broadband Recovery Funds through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's (NTIA) Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) to support the Golden LEAF Rural Broadband Initiative (GLRBI).

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The Golden LEAF Foundation Board of Directors awarded $24 million in matching funds for the Round 2 grant. An additional $5.25 million in match was raised from the MCNC endowment, donations of land from individual community colleges and universities, and a donation of already-installed conduit in northeastern North Carolina from the Albemarle Pamlico Economic Development Corporation. UNC-Chapel Hill's Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute for Entrepreneurship and School of Government helped prepare the GLRBI application. MCNC raised $11.7 million in matching funds for its successful Round 1 application through private sources, including $4 million from the MCNC endowment. North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue congratulated MCNC and the Golden LEAF Foundation as well as commended U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and his team at the NTIA for making this second middle-mile investment in North Carolina through the BTOP program. "This investment provides North Carolina with a robust broadband infrastructure that will help deliver access to education, through NCREN, that is not defined geographically but is equitable for every student at every level of education," said Gov. Perdue. "This infrastructure also helps us scale to meet the health care needs of our most rural citizens, and levels the playing field in attracting high-paying jobs to rural North Carolina." The GLRBI expands the NCREN footprint to traverse a total of 69 counties in the rural Northeastern, North Central, Northwest and South Central parts of North Carolina. Sixty-seven of these counties are designated as rural, according to Federal Highway Administration standards, and are designated as fully or partially underserved with respect to the availability of broadband service. MCNC's application for ARRA recovery funds was tendered to the U.S. Department of Commerce's NTIA and BTOP on March 25, a day prior to the March 26 deadline. For Round 2, the program required a 20-percent funding match by applicants but gave priority review to applications raising 30 percent in matching funds. The design, construction, and operation of the network could create more than 1,000 engineering/construction jobs. The new fiber-optic build will connect with the existing-owned NCREN fiber in North Carolina's urban core as well as the new Round 1 BTOP fiber. The GLRBI will greatly increase the broadband capacity and stabilize bandwidth and Internet access costs for public school systems, community college campuses, libraries, universities, and other community anchor institutions that connect to NCREN. In addition, many private-sector wholesalers and last-mile service providers have expressed interest to MCNC in leasing fiber on the GLRBI. More than a dozen letters of support and interest from private-sector service providers were included in the GLRBI application. As a result, every region of the newly-funded fiber build will likely have private-sector partners who will increase the broadband service options for citizens and businesses in these areas. Additional Quotes & Reactions in North Carolina U.S.Email Senator Kay Share Hagan (D-NC): "This second grant of $75.75 million tobanned MCNC – whichinternational is this on Facebook 'Merry Christmas' at Philippine airport on top of $39.9 million awarded in January – is a serious investment in broadband

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Federal Government Backs Golden LEAF Rural Broadband Initiative * Reuters is not responsible for the content in this press release. Wed Aug 18, 2010 12:50pm EDT

Federal Government Backs Golden LEAF Rural Broadband Initiative PR Newswire RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Aug. 18 North Carolina benefits from over $140 million in two rounds of historic funding to MCNC to expand high-speed connectivity through the North Carolina Research and Education Network (NCREN) RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Aug. 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Department of Commerce announced today that MCNC, an independent non-profit organization that employs advanced networking technologies and systems to improve learning and collaboration throughout North Carolina's K-20 education community, has been awarded $75.75 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Broadband Recovery Funds through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's (NTIA) Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) to support the Golden LEAF Rural Broadband Initiative (GLRBI). This award builds on MCNC's Round 1 BTOP award, a $39.9 million project (including $28.2 million in BTOP Funds) granted in January 2010 to build 480 miles of fiber in 37 counties in southeastern and western N.C. The GLRBI will enhance the existing North Carolina Research and Education Network (NCREN), which MCNC has operated for the last quarter century, and will add to the existing ERC Broadband Network operated by the non-profit ERC Broadband in western North Carolina. Approximately 1,300 miles of new middle-mile fiber will be built throughout the state under this latest award. In addition, about 400 miles of existing fiber will be provided to the GLRBI through lease agreements and donations. The middle-mile is the sector of the network that connects last-mile facilities such as telecom company local interconnection points (central offices) with the commercial Internet and with national and global advanced research networks such as Internet2 and National Lambda Rail. The Golden LEAF Foundation Board of Directors awarded $24 million in matching funds for the Round 2 grant. An additional $5.25 million in match was raised from the MCNC endowment, donations of land from individual community colleges and universities, and a donation of already-installed conduit in northeastern North Carolina from the Albemarle Pamlico Economic Development Corporation. UNC-Chapel Hill's Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute for Entrepreneurship and School of Government helped prepare the GLRBI application. MCNC raised $11.7 million in matching funds for its successful Round 1 application through private sources, including $4 million from the MCNC endowment. North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue congratulated MCNC and the Golden LEAF Foundation as well as commended U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and his team at the NTIA for making this second middle-mile investment in North Carolina through the BTOP program. "This investment provides North Carolina with a robust broadband infrastructure that will help deliver access to education, through NCREN, that is not defined geographically but is equitable for every student at every level of education," said Gov. Perdue. "This infrastructure also helps us scale to meet the health care needs of our most rural citizens, and levels the playing field in attracting high-paying jobs to rural North Carolina." The GLRBI expands the NCREN footprint to traverse a total of 69 counties in the rural Northeastern, North Central, Northwest and South Central parts of North Carolina. Sixty-seven of these counties are designated as rural, according to Federal Highway Administration standards, and are designated as fully or partially underserved with respect to the availability of broadband service. MCNC's application for ARRA recovery funds was tendered to the U.S. Department of Commerce's NTIA and BTOP on March 25, a day prior to the March 26 deadline. For Round 2, the program required a 20-percent funding match by applicants but gave priority review to applications raising 30 percent in matching funds. The design, construction, and operation of the network could create more than 1,000 engineering/construction jobs. The new fiber-optic build will connect with the existing-owned NCREN fiber in North Carolina's urban core as well as the new Round 1 BTOP fiber. The GLRBI will greatly increase the broadband capacity and stabilize bandwidth and Internet access costs for public school systems, community college campuses, libraries, universities, and other community anchor institutions that connect to NCREN. In addition, many private-sector wholesalers and last-mile service providers have expressed interest to MCNC in leasing fiber on the GLRBI. More than a dozen letters of support and interest from private-sector service providers were included in the GLRBI application. As a result, every region of the newly-funded fiber build will likely have private-sector partners who will increase the broadband service options for citizens and businesses in these areas. Additional Quotes & Reactions in North Carolina U.S. Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC): "This second grant of $75.75 million to MCNC â&#x20AC;&#x201C; which is on top of $39.9 million awarded in January â&#x20AC;&#x201C; is a serious investment in broadband infrastructure for North Carolina. North Carolinians in the areas gaining this technology will now have 21st-century broadband infrastructure, which will boost job growth in our state. When this fiber is built, students in rural schools, community colleges and four-year colleges and universities will access a network that will meet their research and education needs well into the future. With Latestthis from award, many more North Carolinians will have broadband

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Posted : Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:50:41 GMT Author : MCNC Category : Press Release News Alerts by Email ( click here ) Press Release News | Home

North Carolina benefits from over $140 million in two rounds of historic funding to MCNC to expand high-speed connectivity through the North Carolina Research and Education Network (NCREN)

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RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Aug. 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Department of Commerce announced today that MCNC, an independent non-profit organization that employs advanced networking technologies and systems to improve learning and collaboration throughout North Carolina's K-20 education community, has been awarded $75.75 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Broadband Recovery Funds through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's (NTIA) Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) to support the Golden LEAF Rural Broadband Initiative (GLRBI).

This award builds on MCNC's Round 1 BTOP award, a $39.9 million project (including $28.2 million in BTOP Funds) granted in January 2010 to build 480 miles of fiber in 37 counties in southeastern and western N.C. The GLRBI will enhance the existing North Carolina Research and Education Network (NCREN), which MCNC has operated for the last quarter century, and will add to the existing ERC Broadband Network operated by the non-profit ERC Broadband in western North Carolina. Approximately 1,300 miles of new middle-mile fiber will be built throughout the state under this latest award. In addition, about 400 miles of existing fiber will be provided to the GLRBI through lease agreements and donations. The middle-mile is the sector of the network that connects Business last-mile facilities such as telecom company local interconnection points (central offices) with the commercial Entertainment Internet and with national and global advanced research networks such as Internet2 and National Lambda Rail. Environment The Golden LEAF Foundation Board of Directors awarded $24 million in matching funds for the Round 2 grant. General An additional $5.25 million in match was raised from the MCNC endowment, donations of land from individual Health community colleges and universities, and a donation of already-installed conduit in northeastern North Carolina Sports from the Albemarle Pamlico Economic Development Corporation. UNC-Chapel Hill's Frank Hawkins Kenan Technology World Institute for Entrepreneurship and School of Government helped prepare the GLRBI application. Press Release MCNC raised $11.7 million in matching funds for its successful Round 1 application through private sources, including $4 million from the MCNC endowment. North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue congratulated MCNC and the Golden LEAF Foundation as well as commended U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and his team at the NTIA for making this second middle-mile Subscribe to free Earthtimes investment in North Carolina through the BTOP program. News Alerts by Email Click here "This investment provides North Carolina with a robust broadband infrastructure that will help deliver access to For RSS Feeds Click here education, through NCREN, that is not defined geographically but is equitable for every student at every level of or Create your own RSS education," said Gov. Perdue. "This infrastructure also helps us scale to meet the health care needs of our most rural citizens, and levels the playing field in attracting high-paying jobs to rural North Carolina." Add to Google Toolbar Breaking News The GLRBI expands the NCREN footprint to traverse a total of 69 counties in the rural Northeastern, North Press Releases Central, Northwest and South Central parts of North Carolina. Sixty-seven of these counties are designated as rural, according to Federal Highway Administration standards, and are designated as fully or partially underserved with respect to the availability of broadband service. Submit your press release MCNC's application for ARRA recovery funds was tendered to the U.S. Department of Commerce's NTIA and BTOP on March 25, a day prior to the March 26 deadline. For Round 2, the program required a 20-percent funding match by applicants but gave priority review to applications raising 30 percent in matching funds. The design, construction, and operation of the network could create more than 1,000 engineering/construction jobs. The new fiber-optic build will connect with the existing-owned NCREN fiber in North Carolina's urban core as well as the new Round 1 BTOP fiber. The GLRBI will greatly increase the broadband capacity and stabilize bandwidth and Internet access costs for public school systems, community college campuses, libraries, universities, and other community anchor institutions that connect to NCREN. In addition, many private-sector wholesalers and last-mile service providers have expressed interest to MCNC in leasing fiber on the GLRBI. More than a dozen letters of support and interest from private-sector service providers were included in the GLRBI application. As a result, every region of the newly-funded fiber build will likely have private-sector partners who will increase the broadband service options for citizens and businesses in these areas. Additional Quotes & Reactions in North Carolina

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Federal Government Backs Golden LEAF Rural Broadband Initiative

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U.S. Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC): "This second grant of $75.75 million to MCNC ? which is on top of $39.9 million awarded in January ? is a serious investment in broadband infrastructure for North Carolina. North Carolinians in the areas gaining this technology will now have 21st-century broadband infrastructure, which will boost job growth in our state. When this fiber is built, students in rural schools, community colleges and four-year colleges and universities will access a network that will meet their research and education needs well into the future. With this award, many more North Carolinians will have broadband access, and I will continue working in the senate to secure broadband funding for North Carolina." Dan Gerlach, President, Golden LEAF Foundation: "The areas of the state covered by the Golden LEAF Rural Broadband Initiative continue to transition their economies to compete globally. The Golden LEAF Foundation's Board of Directors viewed the investment in the GLRBI as an opportunity to provide essential infrastructure, take advantage of federal matching dollars, and invest directly in efforts to grow stronger communities." University of North Carolina President Erskine Bowles: "This BTOP award is truly a game changer for North Carolina. Since 1999, the Rural Prosperity Task Force and our state's leaders have highlighted the importance of statewide access to broadband for our students and citizens. The funding of the Golden LEAF Rural Broadband Initiative is the most significant event toward meeting this goal since it was crafted over a decade ago. For the University system, an NCREN with a statewide fiber footprint will enable our institutions to accelerate the pace of innovation and research, educate greater numbers of students, and address the health care, education, and economic needs of North Carolina's citizens in greater numbers. NCREN truly is a digital pathway through which our public university can reach all citizens of the state." Michael A. Murphy, chairman, MCNC Board of Directors: "North Carolina has long supported affordable broadband networks to ensure a high quality of life and a globally-competitive future for its citizens, businesses, and communities. Securing second-round funding provides critical broadband infrastructure to areas of the state that without the BTOP program would likely never see this investment. We are pleased our application has been funded by the NTIA and are grateful that the Golden LEAF Foundation saw fit to invest into this project." Hunter Goosmann, General Manager, ERC Broadband: "ERC Broadband is proud to be part of the GLRBI. With the BTOP funding we will enhance and expand broadband services to key education, public safety, health care institutions in Western North Carolina. This is another significant step in bringing enhanced broadband services that will benefit the citizens of Western North Carolina." Reference Guide & MCNC Application Information About ARRA/BIP/BTOP The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 appropriated $7.2 billion and directed the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service (RUS) and the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA) to expand broadband access to unserved and underserved communities across the U.S., increase jobs, spur investments in technology and infrastructure, and provide long-term economic benefits. The result is the RUS Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP) and the NTIA Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). BIP will make loans and grants for broadband infrastructure projects in rural areas. BTOP will provide grants to fund broadband infrastructure, public computer centers, and sustainable broadband adoption projects. Of that $7.2 billion, $4.7 billion has been allotted to the NTIA to award grants. The remaining $2.5 billion was allotted to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to make loans to companies building out broadband infrastructure in rural areas. MCNC Filing MCNC filed the GLRBI application on March 25; one day prior to the March 26 filing deadline. MCNC's Package Details MCNC's application was 400 pages of information that included an executive summary and letters of support from several government and private-sector leaders throughout North Carolina. Highlights of the package include: More than 130 letters of support including approximately 70 from state, county and municipal officials and 12 from middle-mile and last-mile service providers interested in using the network to reach last-mile consumers and small businesses. In the 69 counties being impacted, there are 5.9 million residents. Sixty-seven of the 69 counties fully qualify as underserved per the NTIA definition or have smaller underserved pockets within them. There are a total of 4,066 CAIs, including 1,718 K-12 schools, 61 community college main and satellite campuses and 33 baccalaureate degree granting 4 year colleges and universities. In addition there are 254 public libraries, and 1,887 municipal, county and state public safety facilities. A comprehensive set of economic, education and public health statistics are included in the upload section. The original GLRBI requests $77,977,126 in BTOP funds. The actual funding awarded is $75,757,289. The adjustments came during the due diligence review process for the application. The adjustments mainly involved a changing of the type and quantity of conduit used in the build.

Golden LEAF Rural Broadband Initiative Fact Sheet This 69-county service area encompasses approximately: 32,597 square miles (67% of North Carolina's total square miles) 5.93 million total population (66% of North Carolina's population) 2.32 million households (66% of North Carolina's households) 160,000 businesses (68% of North Carolina's businesses) 4,066 community anchor institutions (68% of North Carolina's CAIs) Approximately 709,500 households without access to broadband (31% of households)

Total Project Value: $105 million $75.75 million requested from National Telecommunications and Information Administration BTOP $29.25 million in matching funds raised in N.C., including $24 million from Golden LEAF Foundation

Estimated Jobs Created: More than 1,000 temporary engineering and construction jobs (average period 1.5 years)

Sixty-nine BTOP2 counties: Alleghany, Anson, Ashe, Avery, Beaufort, Bertie, Brunswick, Buncombe, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Camden, Carteret, Caswell, Chatham, Chowan, Cleveland, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Currituck, Dare, Edgecombe, Franklin, Gaston, Gates, Graham, Granville, Halifax, Harnett, Haywood, Henderson, Hertford,

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Hyde, Jackson, Lee, Lincoln, Madison, Martin, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Moore, Nash, New Hanover, Northampton, Onslow, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Person, Pitt, Polk, Richmond, Robeson, Rockingham, Rutherford, Scotland, Stokes, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Tyrrell, Union, Vance, Wake, Warren, Washington, Watauga, Wilson, and Yancey

Download the GLRBI Fact Sheet Online Resources & Downloads MCNC Logo (horizontal) MCNC Logo (vertical) NCREN Logo Golden LEAF Foundation Logo MCNC/BTOP Central Web Space MCNC Website Golden LEAF Website GLRBI Map GLRBI Due Diligence (summary of changes) Follow MCNC @Twitter

About MCNC MCNC is an independent, non-profit organization that employs advanced networking technologies and systems to continuously improve learning and collaboration throughout North Carolina's K20 education community. MCNC provides advanced communications technologies and support services that enable access to 21st century learning applications and offers the opportunity to improve teaching, learning, research and collaboration among North Carolina's education community. For a quarter century, the 501c3 non-profit organization, MCNC, has operated a robust, secure, exclusive communications network that has connected the institutions of the University of North Carolina System, Duke University and Wake Forest University to each other and through advanced research networks such as Internet2 and National Lambda Rail, to the world. Visit www.mcnc.org. About NCREN The North Carolina Research and Education Network (NCREN) is one of the nation's first statewide education and research networks. It provides broadband communications technology services and support to K-12 school districts, higher education campuses and academic research institutions across North Carolina. MCNC offers the NCREN network, technology tools and services to guarantee equal access to 21st century learning by providing a future-proof technology network that is the foundation for change and innovation in our educational systems. It creates possibility and provides an equitable educational experience throughout the state. About 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 971 grants worth over $459 million since its inception. To learn more about applying for a grant, visit www.goldenleaf.org or call (888) 684-8404. SOURCE MCNC

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Local Tech Wire Updated Aug. 19, 2010 at 7:44 a.m.

Four N.C., several Georgia, one S.C. broadband projects land funding

Broadband Local Tech Wire RALEIGH, N.C. – Four broadband projects in addition to MCNC will receive federal funding, Gov. Bev Perdue said Wednesday. Several projects in Georgia and one in South Carolina also received funding. The other N.C. projects, with information provided by Perdue’s office, include: Yadkin Valley Telephone Membership Corporation – $21,668,232 This approximately $21 million award, will allow Yadkin Valley Telephone Membership Corporation to offer a diverse Fiber-To-The-Home (FTTH) network to areas of six counties in the Piedmont area of western North Carolina. Approximately 12,803 people stand to benefit, as do roughly 606 businesses and 56 community institutions. City of Charlotte – $16,702,490 This approximately $16.7 million award will allow public safety entities in the city to deploy an interoperable wireless public safety broadband network in the Charlotte/Mecklenburg County area. The project plans to construct 24 new wireless towers to complement six existing towers on the network, and bring over 11,000 public safety end users onto the system. As many as 890,000 people stand to benefit from this project. According to an announcement from Vice President Joe Biden's office, the Charlotte project will "build a network in the city and surrounding communities in Mecklenburg County. The project will ultimately bring over 11,000 users onto an interoperable 700 MHz broadband network and provide situational awareness, streaming video, computer-aided dispatching, and data sharing capabilities." Olive Hill Community Economic Development – $448,742 This nearly $450,000 award will allow the Olive Hill Community Economic Development Corporation to expand access to broadband in the greater western region of North Carolina by establishing a public computer center and providing community training and support, with a focus on helping disadvantaged local businesses, the unemployed, and individuals seeking higher education opportunities. WinstonNet Inc. – $926,537 This approximately $926,000 award, with $696,000 in matching contributions, will allow WinstonNet to improve broadband access for communities with the greatest need in Forsyth County, North Carolina. The project plans to upgrade public computers workstations and provide new equipment for 38 public computer centers. Read about the MCNC funding here. For a complete list of the projects receiving funding, read here. Get the latest news alerts: Follow LTW at Twitter.

12/7/2010 9:53 PM

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Local Tech Wire Updated Aug. 19, 2010 at 7:58 a.m.

MCNC lands $75.8M federal grant for broadband expansion

MCNNC's NCREN expansion plan Local Tech Wire RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – MCNC has landed another $75.8 million in federal funding that will help with a second stage of expansion for the statewide North Carolina Research and Education Network. MCNC operates NCREN, which connects colleges, universities, school districts and state agencies. Golden LEAF pledged $24 million toward the second stage of NCREN’s growth. "The areas of the state covered by the Golden LEAF Rural Broadband Initiative continue to transition their economies to compete globally,' said Golden LEAF's President Dan Gerlach. "The Golden LEAF Foundation's Board of Directors viewed the investment in the GLRBI as an opportunity to provide essential infrastructure, take advantage of federal matching dollars, and invest directly in efforts to grow stronger communities." As part of a required federal match, MCNC also raised more than $5 million from private sector partners, through donations and from the MCNC foundation. MCNC already is working on the first stage of spreading broadband under a first round of funding awarded earlier this year. Gov. Bev Perdue announced the MCNC funding Wednesday. "This approximately $75.8 million award will allow MCNC to offer affordable middle-mile broadband service in 69 of the most economically disadvantaged rural counties along the northern and southern borders of North Carolina. The project plans to directly connect 170 community institutions to broadband. As many as 5.1 million stand to benefit as do 160,000 businesses," Perdue's office said. Another $30 million in projects also were announced by Perdue. “Increasing broadband access will create new jobs up front and provide a boost for local economies to create even more jobs and a better quality of life in the near future,” Perdue said in a statement. “These improvements are especially important in rural and underserved areas of North Carolina.” For more about the other projects, read here. Get the latest news alerts: Follow LTW at Twitter.

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North Carolina benefits from over $140 million in two rounds of historic funding to MCNC to expand high-speed connectivity through the North Carolina Research and Education Network (NCREN) RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Aug. 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Department of Commerce announced today that MCNC, an independent non-profit organization that employs advanced networking technologies and systems to improve learning and collaboration throughout North Carolina's K-20 education community, has been awarded $75.75 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Broadband Recovery Funds through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's (NTIA) Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) to support the Golden LEAF Rural Broadband Initiative (GLRBI). This award builds on MCNC's Round 1 BTOP award, a $39.9 million project (including $28.2 million in BTOP Funds) granted in January 2010 to build 480 miles of fiber in 37 counties in southeastern and western N.C. The GLRBI will enhance the existing North Carolina Research and Education Network (NCREN), which MCNC has operated for the last quarter century, and will add to the existing ERC Broadband Network operated by the non-profit ERC Broadband in western North Carolina. Approximately 1,300 miles of new middle-mile fiber will be built throughout the state under this latest award. In addition, about 400 miles of existing fiber will be provided to the GLRBI through lease agreements and donations. The middle-mile is the sector of the network that connects last-mile facilities such as telecom company local interconnection points (central offices) with the commercial Internet and with national and global advanced research networks such as Internet2 and National Lambda Rail. The Golden LEAF Foundation Board of Directors awarded $24 million in matching funds for the Round 2 grant. An additional $5.25 million in match was raised from the MCNC endowment, donations of land from individual community colleges and universities, and a donation of already-installed conduit in northeastern North Carolina from the Albemarle Pamlico Economic Development Corporation. UNC-Chapel Hill's Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute for Entrepreneurship and School of Government helped prepare the GLRBI application. MCNC raised $11.7 million in matching funds for its successful Round 1 application through private sources, including $4 million from the MCNC endowment. North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue congratulated MCNC and the Golden LEAF Foundation as well as commended U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and his team at the NTIA for making this second middle-mile investment in North Carolina through the BTOP program. "This investment provides North Carolina with a robust broadband infrastructure that will help deliver access to education, through NCREN, that is not defined geographically but is equitable for every student at every level of education," said Gov. Perdue. "This infrastructure also helps us scale to meet the health care needs of our most rural citizens, and levels the playing field in attracting high-paying jobs to rural North Carolina." The GLRBI expands the NCREN footprint to traverse a total of 69 counties in the rural Northeastern, North Central, Northwest and South Central parts of North Carolina. Sixty-seven of these counties are designated as rural, according to Federal Highway Administration standards, and are designated as fully or partially underserved with respect to the availability of broadband service. MCNC's application for ARRA recovery funds was tendered to the U.S. Department of Commerce's NTIA and BTOP on March 25, a day prior to the March 26 deadline. For Round 2, the program required a 20-percent funding match by applicants but gave priority review to applications raising 30 percent in matching funds. The design, construction, and operation of the network could create more than 1,000 engineering/construction jobs. The new fiber-optic build will connect with the existing-owned NCREN fiber in North Carolina's urban core as well as the new Round 1 BTOP fiber. The GLRBI will greatly increase the broadband capacity and stabilize bandwidth and Internet access costs for public school systems, community college campuses, libraries, universities, and other community anchor institutions that connect to NCREN. In addition, many private-sector wholesalers and last-mile service providers have expressed interest to MCNC in leasing fiber on the GLRBI. More than a dozen letters of support and interest from private-sector service providers were included in the GLRBI application. As a result, every region of the newly-funded fiber build will likely have private-sector partners who will increase the broadband service options for citizens and businesses in these areas.

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Additional Quotes & Reactions in North Carolina U.S. Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC): "This second grant of $75.75 million to MCNC - which is on top of $39.9 million awarded in January - is a serious investment in broadband infrastructure for North Carolina. North Carolinians in the areas gaining this technology will now have 21st-century broadband infrastructure, which will boost job growth in our state. When this fiber is built, students in rural schools, community colleges and four-year colleges and universities will access a network that will meet their research and education needs well into the future. With this award, many more North Carolinians will have broadband access, and I will continue working in the senate to secure broadband funding for North Carolina." Dan Gerlach, President, Golden LEAF Foundation: "The areas of the state covered by the Golden LEAF Rural Broadband Initiative continue to transition their economies to compete globally. The Golden LEAF Foundation's Board of Directors viewed the investment in the GLRBI as an opportunity to provide essential infrastructure, take advantage of federal matching dollars, and invest directly in efforts to grow stronger communities." University of North Carolina President Erskine Bowles: "This BTOP award is truly a game changer for North Carolina. Since 1999, the Rural Prosperity Task Force and our state's leaders have highlighted the importance of statewide access to broadband for our students and citizens. The funding of the Golden LEAF Rural Broadband Initiative is the most significant event toward meeting this goal since it was crafted over a decade ago. For the University system, an NCREN with a statewide fiber footprint will enable our institutions to accelerate the pace of innovation and research, educate greater numbers of students, and address the health care, education, and economic needs of North Carolina's citizens in greater numbers. NCREN truly is a digital pathway through which our public university can reach all citizens of the state." Michael A. Murphy, chairman, MCNC Board of Directors: "North Carolina has long supported affordable broadband networks to ensure a high quality of life and a globally-competitive future for its citizens, businesses, and communities. Securing second-round funding provides critical broadband infrastructure to areas of the state that without the BTOP program would likely never see this investment. We are pleased our application has been funded by the NTIA and are grateful that the Golden LEAF Foundation saw fit to invest into this project." Hunter Goosmann, General Manager, ERC Broadband: "ERC Broadband is proud to be part of the GLRBI. With the BTOP funding we will enhance and expand broadband services to key education, public safety, health care institutions in Western North Carolina. This is another significant step in bringing enhanced broadband services that will benefit the citizens of Western North Carolina." Reference Guide & MCNC Application Information About ARRA/BIP/BTOP The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 appropriated $7.2 billion and directed the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service (RUS) and the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA) to expand broadband access to unserved and underserved communities across the U.S., increase jobs, spur investments in technology and infrastructure, and provide long-term economic benefits. The result is the RUS Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP) and the NTIA Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). BIP will make loans and grants for broadband infrastructure projects in rural areas. BTOP will provide grants to fund broadband infrastructure, public computer centers, and sustainable broadband adoption projects. Of that $7.2 billion, $4.7 billion has been allotted to the NTIA to award grants. The remaining $2.5 billion was allotted to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to make loans to companies building out broadband infrastructure in rural areas. MCNC Filing MCNC filed the GLRBI application on March 25; one day prior to the March 26 filing deadline. MCNC's Package Details MCNC's application was 400 pages of information that included an executive summary and letters of support from several government and private-sector leaders throughout North Carolina. Highlights of the package include:

-- More than 130 letters of support including approximately 70 from state, county and municipal officials and 12 from middle-mile and last-mile service providers interested in using the network to reach last-mile consumers and small businesses. -- In the 69 counties being impacted, there are 5.9 million residents. Sixty-seven of the 69 counties fully qualify as underserved per the NTIA definition or have smaller underserved pockets within them. There are a total of 4,066 CAIs, including 1,718 K-12 schools, 61 community college main and satellite campuses and 33 baccalaureate degree granting 4 year colleges and universities. In addition there are 254 public libraries, and 1,887 municipal, county and state public safety facilities. A comprehensive set of economic, education and public health statistics are included in the upload section. -- The original GLRBI requests $77,977,126 in BTOP funds. The actual funding awarded is $75,757,289. The adjustments came during the due diligence review process for the application. The adjustments mainly involved a changing of the type and quantity of conduit used in the build. Golden LEAF Rural Broadband Initiative Fact Sheet

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This 69-county service area encompasses approximately:

-------

32,597 square miles (67% of North Carolina's total square miles) 5.93 million total population (66% of North Carolina's population) 2.32 million households (66% of North Carolina's households) 160,000 businesses (68% of North Carolina's businesses) 4,066 community anchor institutions (68% of North Carolina's CAIs) Approximately 709,500 households without access to broadband (31% of households) Total Project Value:

-- $105 million -- $75.75 million requested from National Telecommunications and Information Administration BTOP -- $29.25 million in matching funds raised in N.C., including $24 million from Golden LEAF Foundation Estimated Jobs Created:

-- More than 1,000 temporary engineering and construction jobs (average period 1.5 years) Sixty-nine BTOP2 counties:

-- Alleghany, Anson, Ashe, Avery, Beaufort, Bertie, Brunswick, Buncombe, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Camden, Carteret, Caswell, Chatham, Chowan, Cleveland, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Currituck, Dare, Edgecombe, Franklin, Gaston, Gates, Graham, Granville, Halifax, Harnett, Haywood, Henderson, Hertford, Hyde, Jackson, Lee, Lincoln, Madison, Martin, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Moore, Nash, New Hanover, Northampton, Onslow, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Person, Pitt, Polk, Richmond, Robeson, Rockingham, Rutherford, Scotland, Stokes, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Tyrrell, Union, Vance, Wake, Warren, Washington, Watauga, Wilson, and Yancey Download the GLRBI Fact Sheet Online Resources & Downloads

-- MCNC Logo (horizontal) -- MCNC Logo (vertical) -- NCREN Logo -- Golden LEAF Foundation Logo -- MCNC/BTOP Central Web Space -- MCNC Website -- Golden LEAF Website -- GLRBI Map -- GLRBI Due Diligence (summary of changes) -- Follow MCNC @Twitter About MCNC MCNC is an independent, non-profit organization that employs advanced networking technologies and systems to continuously improve learning and collaboration throughout North Carolina's K20 education community. MCNC provides advanced communications technologies and support services that enable access to 21st century learning applications and offers the opportunity to improve teaching, learning, research and collaboration among North Carolina's education community. For a quarter century, the 501c3 non-profit organization, MCNC, has operated a robust, secure, exclusive communications network that has connected the institutions of the University of North Carolina System, Duke University and Wake Forest University to each other and through advanced research networks such as Internet2 and National Lambda Rail, to the world. Visit http://www.mcnc.org. About NCREN The North Carolina Research and Education Network (NCREN) is one of the nation's first statewide education and research networks. It provides broadband communications technology services and support to K-12 school districts, higher education campuses and academic research institutions across North Carolina. MCNC offers the NCREN network, technology tools and services to guarantee equal access to 21st century learning by providing a future-proof technology network that is the foundation for change and innovation in our educational systems. It creates possibility and provides an equitable educational experience throughout the state. About 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 971 grants worth over $459 million since its inception. To learn more about applying for a grant, visit http://www.goldenleaf.org or call (888) 684-8404.

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North Carolina Receives $115 Million For Rural Broadband Development Source: Governor of North Carolina Posted on: 18th August 2010 Funding follows Perdue’s advocacy for North Carolina’s broadband applications. Governor Bev Perdue today announced that North Carolina has received $115 million in five federal recovery grants to extend broadband connectivity in North Carolina. These funds will create jobs and help spur economic development through expanded access to high-speed Internet in underserved areas. Through two rounds of recovery funding, North Carolina has received over $255 million for broadband.

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“Increasing broadband access will create new jobs up front and provide a boost for local economies to create even more jobs and a better quality of life in the near future,” said Gov. Perdue. “These improvements are especially important in rural and underserved areas of North Carolina.” The grants are part of the second round of Recovery Act funding for broadband projects from the U.S. Departments of Commerce and Agriculture.

12/7/2010 9:50 PM

North Carolina Receives $115 Million For Rural Broadband Development... http://www.thegovmonitor.com/world_news/united_states/north-carolina-...

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North Carolina has already received over $140 million in recovery broadband grants. Gov. Perdue joined North Carolina’s congressional delegation in personally advocating for North Carolina’s grant applications in Washington, D.C., during the past year. More information about the recently announced North Carolina broadband grants: MCNC – $75,757,289 This approximately $75.8 million award will allow MCNC to offer affordable middle-mile broadband service in 69 of the most economically disadvantaged rural counties along the northern and southern borders of North Carolina. The project plans to directly connect 170 community institutions to broadband. As many as 5.1 million stand to benefit as do 160,000 businesses. With the strong support of Gov. Perdue and other state and local leaders, the Golden LEAF Foundation provided a $24 million grant in April to provide the necessary match for this federal award. Yadkin Valley Telephone Membership Corporation – $21,668,232 This approximately $21 million award, will allow Yadkin Valley Telephone Membership Corporation to offer a diverse Fiber-To-The-Home (FTTH) network to areas of six counties in the Piedmont area of western North Carolina. Approximately 12,803 people stand to benefit, as do roughly 606 businesses and 56 community institutions. City of Charlotte – $16,702,490 This approximately $16.7 million award will allow public safety entities in the city to deploy an interoperable wireless public safety broadband network in the Charlotte/Mecklenburg County area. The project plans to construct 24 new wireless towers to complement six existing towers on the network, and bring over 11,000 public safety end users onto the system. As many as 890,000 people stand to benefit from this project. Olive Hill Community Economic Development – $448,742 This nearly $450,000 award will allow the Olive Hill Community Economic Development Corporation to expand access to broadband in the greater western region of North Carolina by establishing a public computer center and providing community training and support, with a focus on helping disadvantaged local businesses, the unemployed, and individuals seeking higher education opportunities. WinstonNet Inc. – $926,537 This approximately $926,000 award, with $696,000 in matching contributions, will allow WinstonNet to improve broadband access for communities with the greatest need in Forsyth County, North Carolina. The project plans to upgrade public computers workstations and provide new equipment for 38 public computer centers. Overall, the federal Recovery Act was to invest $7.2 billion in expanding broadband access nationwide – $4.7 billion through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and $2.5 billion funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS). Topics: 2010, 21st century economy, access points, affordable internet, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, ARRA, broadband, business, economic development, Economy, education, fiber network, Golden LEAF Foundation, Governance, government, Governor Bev Perdue, health care, high speed internet, MCNC, monitor, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, NCREN, news, North Carolina, North Carolina Research and Education Network, NTIA, public safety, rural communities, Rural Utilities Service, RUS, schools, technology, U.S., United States, wireless broadband access Print This Article in Plain Text

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Federal Government Backs Golden LEAF Rural Broadband Initiative North Carolina benefits from over $140 million in two rounds of historic funding to MCNC to expand high-speed connectivity through the North Carolina Research and Education Network (NCREN) RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Aug. 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Department of Commerce announced today that MCNC, an independent non-profit organization that employs advanced networking technologies and systems to improve learning and collaboration throughout North Carolina's K-20 education community, has been awarded $75.75 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Broadband Recovery Funds through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's (NTIA) Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) to support the Golden LEAF Rural Broadband Initiative (GLRBI). This award builds on MCNC's Round 1 BTOP award, a $39.9 million project (including $28.2 million in BTOP Funds) granted in January 2010 to build 480 miles of fiber in 37 counties in southeastern and western N.C. The GLRBI will enhance the existing North Carolina Research and Education Network (NCREN), which MCNC has operated for the last quarter century, and will add to the existing ERC Broadband Network operated by the non-profit ERC Broadband in western North Carolina. Approximately 1,300 miles of new middle-mile fiber will be built throughout the state under this latest award. In addition, about 400 miles of existing fiber will be provided to the GLRBI through lease agreements and donations. The middle-mile is the sector of the network that connects last-mile facilities such as telecom company local interconnection points (central offices) with the commercial Internet and with national and global advanced research networks such as Internet2 and National Lambda Rail. The Golden LEAF Foundation Board of Directors awarded $24 million in matching funds for the Round 2 grant. An additional $5.25 million in match was raised from the MCNC endowment, donations of land from individual community colleges and universities, and a donation of already-installed conduit in northeastern North Carolina from the Albemarle Pamlico Economic Development Corporation. UNC-Chapel Hill's Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute for Entrepreneurship and School of Government helped prepare the GLRBI application. MCNC raised $11.7 million in matching funds for its successful Round 1 application through private sources, including $4 million from the MCNC endowment. North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue congratulated MCNC and the Golden LEAF Foundation as well as commended U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and his team at the NTIA for making this second middle-mile investment in North Carolina through the BTOP program. "This investment provides North Carolina with a robust broadband infrastructure that will help deliver access to education, through NCREN, that is not defined geographically but is equitable for every student at every level of education," said Gov. Perdue. "This infrastructure also helps us scale to meet the health care needs of our most rural citizens, and levels the playing field in attracting high-paying jobs to rural North Carolina." The GLRBI expands the NCREN footprint to traverse a total of 69 counties in the rural Northeastern, North Central, Northwest and South Central parts of North Carolina. Sixty-seven of these counties are designated as rural, according to Federal Highway Administration standards, and are designated as fully or partially underserved with respect to the availability of broadband service. MCNC's application for ARRA recovery funds was tendered to the U.S. Department of Commerce's NTIA and BTOP on March 25, a day prior to the March 26 deadline. For Round 2, the program required a 20-percent funding match by applicants but gave priority review to applications raising 30 percent in matching funds. The design, construction, and operation of the network could create more than 1,000 engineering/construction jobs. The new fiber-optic build will connect with the existing-owned NCREN fiber in North Carolina's urban core as well as the new Round 1 BTOP fiber. The GLRBI will greatly increase the broadband capacity and stabilize bandwidth and Internet access costs for public school systems, community college campuses, libraries, universities, and other community anchor institutions that connect to NCREN. In addition, many private-sector wholesalers and last-mile service providers have expressed interest to MCNC in leasing fiber on the GLRBI. More than a dozen letters of support and interest from private-sector service providers were included in the GLRBI application. As a result, every region of the newly-funded fiber build will likely have private-sector partners who will increase the broadband service options for citizens and businesses in these areas. Additional Quotes & Reactions in North Carolina U.S. Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC): "This second grant of $75.75 million to MCNC - which is on top of $39.9 million awarded in January - is a serious investment in broadband infrastructure for North Carolina. North Carolinians in the areas gaining this technology will now have 21st-century broadband infrastructure, which will boost job growth in our state. When this fiber is built, students in rural schools, community colleges and four-year colleges and universities will access a network that will meet their research and education needs well into the future. With this award, many more North Carolinians will have broadband access, and I will continue working in the senate to secure broadband funding for North Carolina." Dan Gerlach, President, Golden LEAF Foundation: "The areas of the state covered by the Golden LEAF Rural Broadband Initiative continue to transition their economies to compete globally. The Golden LEAF Foundation's Board of Directors viewed the investment in the GLRBI as an opportunity to provide essential infrastructure, take advantage of federal matching dollars, and invest directly in efforts to grow stronger communities." University of North Carolina President Erskine Bowles: "This BTOP award is truly a game changer for North Carolina. Since 1999, the Rural Prosperity Task Force and our state's leaders have highlighted the importance of statewide access to broadband for our students and citizens. The funding of the Golden LEAF Rural Broadband Initiative is the most significant event toward meeting this goal since it was crafted over a decade ago. For the University system, an NCREN with a statewide fiber footprint will enable our institutions to accelerate the pace of innovation

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Federal Government Backs Golden LEAF Rural Broadband Initiative RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Aug. 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Department of Commerce announced today that MCNC, an independent non-profit organization that employs advanced networking technologies and systems to improve learning and collaboration throughout North Carolina's K-20 education community, has been awarded $75.75 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Broadband Recovery Funds through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's (NTIA) Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) to support the Golden LEAF Rural Broadband Initiative (GLRBI). This award builds on MCNC's Round 1 BTOP award, a $39.9 million project (including $28.2 million in BTOP Funds) granted in January 2010 to build 480 miles of fiber in 37 counties in southeastern and western N.C. The GLRBI will enhance the existing North Carolina Research and Education Network (NCREN), which MCNC has operated for the last quarter century, and will add to the existing ERC Broadband Network operated by the non-profit ERC Broadband in western North Carolina. Approximately 1,300 miles of new middle-mile fiber will be built throughout the state under this latest award. In addition, about 400 miles of existing fiber will be provided to the GLRBI through lease agreements and donations. The middle-mile is the sector of the network that connects last-mile facilities such as telecom company local interconnection points (central offices) with the commercial Internet and with national and global advanced research networks such as Internet2 and National Lambda Rail. The Golden LEAF Foundation Board of Directors awarded $24 million in matching funds for the Round 2 grant. An additional $5.25 million in match was raised from the MCNC endowment, donations of land from individual community colleges and universities, and a donation of already-installed conduit in northeastern North Carolina from the Albemarle Pamlico Economic Development Corporation. UNC-Chapel Hill's Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute for Entrepreneurship and School of Government helped prepare the GLRBI application. MCNC raised $11.7 million in matching funds for its successful Round 1 application through private sources, including $4 million from the MCNC endowment. North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue congratulated MCNC and the Golden LEAF Foundation as well as commended U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and his team at the NTIA for making this second middle-mile investment in North Carolina through the BTOP program. "This investment provides North Carolina with a robust broadband infrastructure that will help deliver access to education, through NCREN, that is not defined geographically but is equitable for every student at every level of education," said Gov. Perdue. "This infrastructure also helps us scale to meet the health care needs of our most rural citizens, and levels the playing field in attracting high-paying jobs to rural North Carolina." The GLRBI expands the NCREN footprint to traverse a total of 69 counties in the rural Northeastern, North Central, Northwest and South Central parts of North Carolina. Sixty-seven of these counties are designated as rural, according to Federal Highway Administration standards, and are designated as fully or partially underserved with respect to the availability of broadband service. MCNC's application for ARRA recovery funds was tendered to the U.S. Department of Commerce's NTIA and BTOP on March 25, a day prior to the March 26 deadline. For Round 2, the program required a 20-percent funding match by applicants but gave priority review to applications raising 30 percent in matching funds. The design, construction, and operation of the network could create more than 1,000

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engineering/construction jobs. The new fiber-optic build will connect with the existing-owned NCREN fiber in North Carolina's urban core as well as the new Round 1 BTOP fiber. The GLRBI will greatly increase the broadband capacity and stabilize bandwidth and Internet access costs for public school systems, community college campuses, libraries, universities, and other community anchor institutions that connect to NCREN. In addition, many private-sector wholesalers and last-mile service providers have expressed interest to MCNC in leasing fiber on the GLRBI. More than a dozen letters of support and interest from private-sector service providers were included in the GLRBI application. As a result, every region of the newly-funded fiber build will likely have private-sector partners who will increase the broadband service options for citizens and businesses in these areas. Additional Quotes & Reactions in North Carolina U.S. Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC): "This second grant of $75.75 million to MCNC - which is on top of $39.9 million awarded in January - is a serious investment in broadband infrastructure for North Carolina. North Carolinians in the areas gaining this technology will now have 21st-century broadband infrastructure, which will boost job growth in our state. When this fiber is built, students in rural schools, community colleges and four-year colleges and universities will access a network that will meet their research and education needs well into the future. With this award, many more North Carolinians will have broadband access, and I will continue working in the senate to secure broadband funding for North Carolina." Dan Gerlach, President, Golden LEAF Foundation: "The areas of the state covered by the Golden LEAF Rural Broadband Initiative continue to transition their economies to compete globally. The Golden LEAF Foundation's Board of Directors viewed the investment in the GLRBI as an opportunity to provide essential infrastructure, take advantage of federal matching dollars, and invest directly in efforts to grow stronger communities." University of North Carolina President Erskine Bowles: "This BTOP award is truly a game changer for North Carolina. Since 1999, the Rural Prosperity Task Force and our state's leaders have highlighted the importance of statewide access to broadband for our students and citizens. The funding of the Golden LEAF Rural Broadband Initiative is the most significant event toward meeting this goal since it was crafted over a decade ago. For the University system, an NCREN with a statewide fiber footprint will enable our institutions to accelerate the pace of innovation and research, educate greater numbers of students, and address the health care, education, and economic needs of North Carolina's citizens in greater numbers. NCREN truly is a digital pathway through which our public university can reach all citizens of the state." Michael A. Murphy, chairman, MCNC Board of Directors: "North Carolina has long supported affordable broadband networks to ensure a high quality of life and a globally-competitive future for its citizens, businesses, and communities. Securing second-round funding provides critical broadband infrastructure to areas of the state that without the BTOP program would likely never see this investment. We are pleased our application has been funded by the NTIA and are grateful that the Golden LEAF Foundation saw fit to invest into this project." Hunter Goosmann, General Manager, ERC Broadband: "ERC Broadband is proud to be part of the GLRBI. With the BTOP funding we will enhance and expand broadband services to key education, public safety, health care institutions in Western North Carolina. This is another significant step in bringing enhanced broadband services that will benefit the citizens of Western North Carolina." Reference Guide & MCNC Application Information About ARRA/BIP/BTOP

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 appropriated $7.2 billion and directed the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service (RUS) and the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA) to expand broadband access to unserved and underserved communities across the U.S., increase jobs, spur investments in technology and infrastructure, and provide long-term economic benefits. The result is the RUS Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP) and the NTIA Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). BIP will make loans and grants for broadband infrastructure projects in rural areas. BTOP will provide grants to fund broadband infrastructure, public computer centers, and sustainable broadband adoption projects. Of that $7.2 billion, $4.7 billion has been allotted to the NTIA to award grants. The remaining $2.5 billion was allotted to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to make loans to companies building out broadband infrastructure in rural areas. MCNC Filing MCNC filed the GLRBI application on March 25; one day prior to the March 26 filing deadline.

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MCNC's Package Details MCNC's application was 400 pages of information that included an executive summary and letters of support from several government and private-sector leaders throughout North Carolina. Highlights of the package include: --

More than 130 letters of support including approximately 70 from state, county and municipal officials and 12 from middle-mile and last-mile service providers interested in using the network to reach last-mile consumers and small businesses. In the 69 counties being impacted, there are 5.9 million residents. Sixty-seven of the 69 counties fully qualify as underserved per the NTIA definition or have smaller underserved pockets within them. There are a total of 4,066 CAIs, including 1,718 K-12 schools, 61 community college main and satellite campuses and 33 baccalaureate degree granting 4 year colleges and universities. In addition there are 254 public libraries, and 1,887 municipal, county and state public safety facilities. A comprehensive set of economic, education and public health statistics are included in the upload section. The original GLRBI requests $77,977,126 in BTOP funds. The actual funding awarded is $75,757,289. The adjustments came during the due diligence review process for the application. The adjustments mainly involved a changing of the type and quantity of conduit used in the build.

Golden LEAF Rural Broadband Initiative Fact Sheet This 69-county service area encompasses approximately: -- 32,597 square miles (67% of North Carolina's total square miles) -- 5.93 million total population (66% of North Carolina's population) -- 2.32 million households (66% of North Carolina's households) -- 160,000 businesses (68% of North Carolina's businesses) -- 4,066 community anchor institutions (68% of North Carolina's CAIs) -- Approximately 709,500 households without access to broadband (31% of households) Total Project Value: -- $105 million -- $75.75 million requested from National Telecommunications and Information Administration BTOP -- $29.25 million in matching funds raised in N.C., including $24 million from Golden LEAF Foundation Estimated Jobs Created: -- More than 1,000 temporary engineering and construction jobs (average period 1.5 years) Sixty-nine BTOP2 counties: -- Alleghany, Anson, Ashe, Avery, Beaufort, Bertie, Brunswick, Buncombe, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Camden, Carteret, Caswell, Chatham, Chowan, Cleveland, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Currituck, Dare, Edgecombe, Franklin, Gaston, Gates, Graham, Granville, Halifax, Harnett, Haywood, Henderson, Hertford, Hyde, Jackson, Lee, Lincoln, Madison, Martin, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Moore, Nash, New Hanover, Northampton, Onslow, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Person, Pitt, Polk, Richmond, Robeson, Rockingham, Rutherford, Scotland, Stokes, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Tyrrell, Union, Vance, Wake, Warren, Washington, Watauga, Wilson, and Yancey Download the GLRBI Fact Sheet Online Resources & Downloads -----------

MCNC Logo (horizontal) MCNC Logo (vertical) NCREN Logo Golden LEAF Foundation Logo MCNC/BTOP Central Web Space MCNC Website Golden LEAF Website GLRBI Map GLRBI Due Diligence (summary of changes) Follow MCNC @Twitter

About MCNC

MCNC is an independent, non-profit organization that employs advanced networking technologies and systems to continuously improve learning and collaboration throughout North Carolina's K20 education community. MCNC provides advanced communications technologies and support services that enable access to 21st century learning applications and offers the opportunity to improve teaching, learning, research and

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collaboration among North Carolina's education community. For a quarter century, the 501c3 non-profit organization, MCNC, has operated a robust, secure, exclusive communications network that has connected the institutions of the University of North Carolina System, Duke University and Wake Forest University to each other and through advanced research networks such as Internet2 and National Lambda Rail, to the world. Visit . About NCREN The North Carolina Research and Education Network (NCREN) is one of the nation's first statewide education and research networks. It provides broadband communications technology services and support to K-12 school districts, higher education campuses and academic research institutions across North Carolina. MCNC offers the NCREN network, technology tools and services to guarantee equal access to 21st century learning by providing a future-proof technology network that is the foundation for change and innovation in our educational systems. It creates possibility and provides an equitable educational experience throughout the state. About 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 tobaccodependent, 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 971 grants worth over $459 million since its inception. To learn more about applying for a grant, visit or call (888) 684-8404. Web Site: Previous

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By Grant Gross, IDG News

Four satellite-based broadband providers and emergency responders were among the winners in a new list of broadband grants and loans announced by two U.S. agencies Wednesday.

SIMILAR ARTICLES: FCC: Broadband Public Safety Fee a Bargain NTIA Gives Broadband Grant to Group for Deaf NTIA Identifies Federal Spectrum for Commercial Broadband Survey: Broadband Growth Slowing in the US US Agency Awards $255 Million in New Broadband Funds

The awards, part of the economic stimulus package the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, include more than US$307 million in grants to nine projects involving public safety networks and $100 million to four satellite broadband providers to cover remote areas. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service (RUS) and the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced awards totaling $1.8 billion to 94 projects Wednesday. The projects cover parts of 37 states.

Congress Hears Conflicting Ideas for Public Safety Network

"These investments are bringing broadband to underserved communities and creating jobs today," said Jared Bernstein, chief economist to U.S. Vice President Joe Biden. "Just as important, they create opportunities for tomorrow, whether it's a kid in a library who will have the same access to the Web as a kid in wealthy suburbia, or job seeker in a community center, or a physician researching a diagnosis." Wednesday marked the first time that satellite providers received awards from the ARRA broadband programs. The satellite providers can help reach U.S. residents who live in areas that may be too expensive to serve in other ways, said Jonathan Adelstein, administrator at the RUS. The public safety grants will help the U.S. move ahead with long-standing efforts to create a nationwide wireless broadband network for public safety agencies, Bernstein said. "These awards ... will finally give first responders the tools they need to improve response times, communicate at the scene of emergencies and have reliable access to real-time data," he said during a press conference. The public safety projects will serve as demonstrations of the viability of a larger public safety network, he said. One of the public-safety grants went to Motorola, to help pay for a wireless broadband network in the San Francisco area. The project, which received $50.6 million from the NTIA, plans to serve 200 public safety sites in the area. The company will match the grant with $21.9 million in private funding.