NC H639

Appropriates $900,000 to the Department of Information Technology (DIT) for fiscal year 2017-2018 and $900,000 for 2018-2019, with $50,000 allocated to each of the state's 16 regional Councils of Government (COG).

DIT may retain up to $100,000 during the 2017-2019 biennium for administrative costs related to the act.

Each regional COG must develop multijurisdictional broadband deployment plans, convene coalitions of local governments and broadband providers, implement broadband projects, and identify opportunities to expand broadband access in unserved and underserved rural areas.

Funds are disbursed conditionally in two equal installments: first payment upon completion of broadband deployment plans, second payment upon completion of coalition convening activities.

Regional COGs must submit goals and expenditure proposals by September 1, 2017, progress reports in the first quarter after year one, and final expenditure reports by June 30, 2019.