Chuck McGrady
  • Welcome
  • About Chuck McGrady
  • General Assembly
    • NCGA Website
    • How Laws Are Made
    • Legislative Building
    • Our State Seal
    • State Constitution
    • Glossary of Terms
  • Maps
    • District 117 Map
    • House Districts Map
  • Links
    • State Agencies
    • State Website
    • Court System
    • Henderson County Links
      • County Government
      • City of Hendersonville
      • Henderson County Schools
      • Chamber of Commerce
      • County Board of Elections
      • Blue Ridge Humane Society
  • Contribute

Growing Rural Broadband

Posted on February 16, 2017 by admin in Business, Dan Forest, Education, Public/private partnerships, Technology

Representative McGrady has co-sponsored bipartisan legislation allowing Public-Private Partnerships to expand high-speed fiber optic networks to rural and other underserved communities.

The BRIGHT Futures Act (House Bill 68) is legislation focused on accelerating digital infrastructure and economic development in rural and unserved areas of North Carolina by connecting them to the key markets of Broadband, Retail online services, Internet of Things, GridPower, Healthcare, and Training and Education. A companion bill was introduced last week in the North Carolina Senate.

Recognizing the need to rapidly develop the digital infrastructure necessary for economic development and innovation in these key economic segments, known collectively by the acronym “BRIGHT” markets, the Bill clarifies the opportunity for Public-Private Partnerships to pursue this development. The Bill also directs those responsible for existing economic development programs to report directly on how effectively these programs are in accelerating innovation and jobs in the BRIGHT Markets. Finally, it directs the Office of Science, Technology, and Innovation (within the Department of Commerce) for recommendations on how best to establish BRIGHT Futures Fund that could operate over the next five years to provide annual grants or loans to accelerate innovation and investment in BRIGHT Market enterprises.

“Rural and underserved areas have historically been left behind when key technology and infrastructure have been required for economic development,” said Representative John Szoka, the primary sponsor of the legislation. “This Bill clarifies the ability of Public-Private Partnerships to find ways to develop this critical infrastructure, and continues the tradition that led to innovative business models in the past.”

“With the second largest rural population in the nation, it is critical that we unleash all the powers of creativity and innovation to find ways to connect this one-third of our state’s population to the opportunities and growth that will flow from new products and services in these BRIGHT Market segments,” commented Senator Meredith, the chief sponsor of the Senate’s companion bill. “The rapid growth of gigabit fiber networks and computer automation threaten to leave behind vast areas of North Carolina,” Representative Jason Saine. “North Carolina can be a leader in these BRIGHT Markets, but not if we leave behind the 3.3 million people who live in the eighty-five counties that are considered rural,” he went on to say.

“In this fast changing economy, we can no longer tell people and businesses that they have to wait for critical infrastructure and services,” said Representative Susan Martin, another primary sponsor. “This Bill makes it clear that we are looking for innovative, and immediate, solutions from those interested in serving this large and critical population.”

Joining the General Assembly members at the press conference was Lieutenant Governor Dan Forest who praised the proposed legislation as being the next step in the process of connecting all North Carolinians. “Our state will already be the first in the nation to have every classroom connected to high-speed broadband. The BRIGHT Futures Act builds on the hard work and forward thinking that the General Assembly has dedicated to connecting our schools to now finish the last mile that has separated our rural communities from our urban corridors. North Carolina is blessed with some of the greatest infrastructure for innovation and economic development, from Research Triangle Park to a statewide fiber network, to our universities, healthcare facilities, and private sector engines of innovation, but we can no longer allow vast portions of our state to fall behind because that infrastructure does not reach them. This Bill sets a vision and a roadmap that can organize the great forces of innovation in a way to connect everyone in the state.”

Contact

EmailFacebookTwitter

Search

Latest Newsletter

  • Great Seal of the State of North Carolina

    The Start of the Legislative Session

    February 12, 2019

More About Newsletters

To receive Rep. McGrady's newsletters, please send an email to his Legislative Assistant and we'll add you to our newsletter distribution list.

For a complete archive of all of Rep. McGrady's newsletters, click here.

Rep. McGrady’s Latest Tweets

  • Stories and photos we love: For veterans in Henderson, a handmade gift for their service https://t.co/YvvZlVMEiR… https://t.co/wzYbve47Cx
    February 17, 2019
  • That is H 69–not H 60.
    February 15, 2019
  • The commission bill (H 60) gives us a chance to end partisan gerrymandering. Another way to do this is by consti… https://t.co/M1PA5CYL8J
    February 15, 2019
  • @amyrbrown12_amy @nutgraham While I agree with you, putting together a little, lame poetry to try to get folks thin… https://t.co/plGRY1sxYH
    February 14, 2019
  • Before the 50th Anniversary celebration for @FallingCreek, I went on the website and saw @BrianTurnerNC’s picture.… https://t.co/2lxtn6wR2g
    February 14, 2019
  • On this edition of the pod Rep @ChuckMcGrady chats independent #Redistricting, proposed ABC reform, a friendship wi… https://t.co/JZW6TdJvCU
    February 14, 2019
  • @GrierMartin Yeah, it is lame but want to keep the conversation going.
    February 14, 2019
  • Republicans are red Democrats are blue When neither side can bank on majority control Is the best time to push n… https://t.co/KaJ7UUDynI
    February 14, 2019
  • New story: 400-plus acres added to recreational forest in western NC https://t.co/eU5h8kTERz #wral
    February 14, 2019
  • Redistricting reformers hopeful with legislation this year https://t.co/oN0FMPMIRc https://t.co/iSSIW4cAmP
    February 14, 2019

The Economy Then and Now

Articles by Category

Articles by Year

Recent Articles

  • The Start of the Legislative Session
  • House Enacts Voter ID With Veto Override
  • The End Is In Sight
  • The Endless Legislative Session
  • $793 Million for Florence Recovery
  • My Perspective on the Proposed Constitutional Amendments
  • Disaster Relief: What Comes Next
  • Hurricane Recovery Fund Approved in Bipartisan Vote
  • Legislature to Convene October 2 for Hurricane Relief
  • The WLOS Election Questionnaire
  • Constitutional Amendment Redux
  • State Revenues Exceed Forecast by Over $400 million
  • Hurricane Relief Committee to Investigate Recovery Delays
  • Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness
  • Revenue estimates $252.8 million ahead of targets
  • The Short Session Winds Down
  • Flag Day 2018
  • Remembering the Day that Saved the World
  • Houses Passes School Safety Programs
  • The Budget Passes and…Life After the Budget
  • The Budget: More Detail on What It Funds
  • The Budget: Substance and Process
  • A Primer on Transportation Projects
  • Six statistics Carolinians should know
  • Employment Increases by more than 85,000
  • Safeguarding Emergency Equipment
  • LEO: No Need to Get Angry
  • The Pharmacy Patient Fair Practices Act
  • A Statue for North Carolina’s Favorite Son
  • A Good and Faithful Servant
  • Remembering Washington on President’s Day
  • A New Pipeline of Money to Public Schools
  • Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car
  • Tax Fraud Prevention Saves State Revenue
  • Class Size: A Simple Explanation of the Issue

Featured Video

Friends of Carl Sandburg at Connemara
This site is provided as a service to the people of Henderson County. It is not maintained at taxpayer expense.