Our hearts go out to everyone affected by Hurricane Helene. Our team has been working endlessly to make sure these communities in Western North Carolina have the resources they need during this challenging time. If you're looking to help out those in need, there are many ways to do so. We have included those options here: Hurricane Helene
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HERO Project


High-speed Economies for Rural Opportunity (HERO)

What is HERO?

MCNC’s High-speed Economies for Rural Opportunity (HERO) project will directly support improvements to broadband access and affordability across central and southeastern North Carolina. When complete, HERO will extend MCNC’s reach via the construction of 209 miles of new middle mile fiber through substantially unserved and underserved areas, including some of the highest poverty areas in the state. 

Read Press Release
MCNC and NTIA

Why North Carolina Needs HERO

Project Overview

The 11-county area to benefit from this project currently has over 16,000 unserved and 12,000 underserved housing units, including many substantially unserved local communities.  In total, the affordability, latency, and resilience benefits of HERO would impact over 350,000 housing units and 696 CAIs, bringing new economic opportunities to these economically challenged rural areas of North Carolina. Upon completion, HERO will support affordable, high-performance broadband for at least 4998 fully unserved locations (and nearly 4300 additional underserved locations) within just 5 miles of the planned routes.

The expansion of MCNC’s open access network via this grant will allow MCNC to enhance the affordability strategies of last mile providers who are drawn to MCNC as the only low-cost, fully non-discriminatory provider offering services including dark fiber over the longest time horizons.

HERO proposed route MCNC

Frequently Asked Questions


Construction Progress


Media

As MCNC’s HERO Project progresses, this space will be updated with photos, videos, and more from the people making this project possible.

HERO Project Groundbreaking Ceremony in Sanford, NC (9/5/2024)

Photos:

Blogs

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MCNC HERO Project Groundbreaking Golden Shovels 2024

MCNC begins broadband expansion in Sanford 

MCNC to begin broadband expansion project in Sanford

HERO community colleges

HERO Project: Broadband in postsecondary education helps make NC a better place to work

Hurricane MCNC

HERO Project: Expanding broadband helps North Carolina stay ahead of the storm

HERO blog fishing

HERO Project: Technology and internet is the catch of the day for North Carolina’s seafood industry

HERO blog image

HERO Project: Broadband fuels culture, creativity and quality of life in North Carolina

hero project blog 16

HERO Project: STEM is North Carolina’s secret sauce; connectivity is a main ingredient

HERO Blog Libraries

HERO Project: Broadband is the backbone of modern libraries in North Carolina

HEROProject_BlogImage_Filmmaking_B

HERO Project: Broadband’s role in NC’s booming entertainment industry

HERO Blog #12

HERO Project: Broadband turns dreams into success for rural entrepreneurs

HERO blog 12

HERO Project: Digital deserts raise concern for kids in rural communities

HERO Blog #11

HERO Project: Rural NC communities ready for high-speed renaissance

HERO Blog #10

HERO Project: New year, new opportunities as MCNC expands broadband

agtech blog

HERO Project: Broadband feeds high-speed needs of modern farming

HERO blog image Veteran's Day

HERO Project: Broadband crucial to mission success in military communities

HERO blog image Job Opportunities

HERO Project: Broadband powers job creation in rural economies

HERO Blog image healthcare

HERO Project: The high-speed cure for NC’s digital health divide

HERO Project Blog Public Safety

HERO Project: Making rural NC safer through Broadband

HERO Project Blog Image Education

HERO Project: Empowering students, teachers through broadband

MCNC HERO Project blog image building relationships

HERO Project: FY 2024 outlook – Building relationships, gaining influence, and taking action

HERO Project Blog photo lacking connectivity

HERO Project: Lacking connectivity comes with consequences

HERO Project Blog image Inspiring hope

HERO Project: Inspiring hope in area codes left behind


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Get in touch:

MCNC
PO Box 12889
3021 East Cornwallis Road
RTP, NC 27709-2889
919-248-1900 Phone | 919-248-1101 Fax
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