rural broadband

Aug 12, 2021

Institute for Emerging Issues announces next round of BAND-NC grant recipients, continues to push for digital equity across the state.

Thirty-two North Carolina county-level initiatives will each receive a $5,000 grant to help bridge the digital divide in their communities. 

Jan 5, 2021

First in Future: Dan Barkin of Business NC

This episode of First in Future we hear from Dan Barkin of Business NC. As the former managing editor of The News & Observer, he has great insight and institutional knowledge about the rapid development of North Carolina, and we hear about his thoughts on broadband, which is a key issue on many minds these days. 

Oct 27, 2020

First in Future: Mike Ward and Deanna Townsend-Smith

This First in Future episode's guests are, Mike Ward, the former state superintendent of public instruction and chair of the steering committee for the NC Education Corps and Deanna Townsend-Smith is director of operations and policy for the State Board of Education. 

Aug 21, 2020

First in Future: Amy Huffman and Dawn Gibson

Summary: In August of 2020 the year was complicated. Universities were trying to have at least face-to-face classes, but it’s not clear that’s going to work out. About 70% of… 

May 1, 2020

First in Future: Entrepreneurs retooling during COVID

Summary: Leslie Boney, Director of the Institute for Emerging Issues, hosts a series of virtual conversations discussing the impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19) and some of the ways our state is… 

Feb 18, 2020

First in Future: President of the state association of County Commissioners Kevin Austin

Summary: At our ReCONNECT to Technological Opportunity Forum, we heard story after story of people who have access to broadband and how they’re doing amazing things with it. We also heard stories of people struggling to take full advantage… 

Feb 11, 2020

First in Future: Director of community engagement at Forward Wilkes LB Prevette

Summary: We all know people in our hometowns or neighborhoods who have a way of bringing people and ideas together in a community, big or small. Some may call them… 

Feb 4, 2020

First in Future: Policy and Program Manager at the Institute for Emerging Issues Maggie Woods

Summary: If you are in a business trying to expand markets, on a farm trying to boost yields, helping your kids with homework or a local government official trying to… 

Jan 21, 2020

First in Future: NC State Senator Harry Brown

Summary: North Carolina has been a long-time leader in making internet available to people across the state, and we were the first place to have every K-12 classroom wired with high speed internet. The internet is also…