Wayne County, NC – Yesterday, Governor Roy Cooper announced that InfinityLink Communications has been selected to receive $2,691,142 of funding under the Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) Grant program to expand broadband in Wayne County. The GREAT grant program provides grants to internet service providers that partner with counties to compete for funding to expand high-speed internet service to unserved and underserved areas of the state.

“We have been providing service in eastern North Carolina and are excited for the opportunity to expand into Wayne County,” said Jeremy Rich, President & CEO of InfinityLink Communications. “Broadband access is a necessity in today’s world, and this expansion will allow Wayne County to grow and residents to thrive. We look forward to working together with the County to expand high-speed broadband connectivity to more homes in Wayne County.”

After final approval from the N.C. Department of Information Technology’s Division of Broadband and Digital Equity, InfinityLink expects to begin design and engineering before the end of the year. This grant funding will bring fiber connections to 919 homes in northern Wayne County.

“We appreciate the GREAT grant funding for this significant project,” said Chairman Joe Daughtery, Wayne County Board of Commissioners. “Former Commissioners Bill Pate and the late Ray Mayo were strong advocates for broadband expansion to bring economic, educational, and quality of life improvements to homes across the county. There is more work to be done, and we will continue to look for grant opportunities to help fund broadband expansion for everyone in Wayne County.”

GREAT grant awards are being made on a rolling basis, and Wayne County has two additional applications submitted for selection to expand broadband to other areas of the County.