MCNC up for ‘Tech For Good’ award in North Carolina

MCNC takes the role of helping its community seriously, and we are proud to be nominated for this year’s “Tech For Good” award by the North Carolina Technology Association (NC TECH).

Amid the pandemic, the work of MCNC has become even more important in propelling communities forward. MCNC continues to demonstrate an unprecedented commitment to North Carolina's K-20 educational systems, public libraries, health care, cultural institutions, and state and local governments.

Criteria for this recognition is outlined as a company, organization, or institution that has utilized technology to help make the world a better place to live and learn as well as improve the quality of life for citizens.

MCNC is guided by values in innovation, economic development, relationships with state and local government, thought leadership, and security solutions. MCNC strives to be a responsive collaborator and convener on technology-related missions that improve the lives of all North Carolinians.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created huge shifts and spikes in broadband-related needs. MCNC has come alongside North Carolina communities as we all have had to navigate new challenges, disparities, needs, and opportunities. In this rapidly-evolving COVID-19 context, MCNC has gone above and beyond to work with community anchor institutions (CAIs) about what their broadband and technology needs are and help them grow accordingly with needed resources.

MCNC also continues to be part of ongoing conversations about digital equity and inclusion across North Carolina (and the national level) and is well-positioned to leverage its 4,400-mile fiber network and community relationships for this work. Such efforts can create ripple effects in high-speed Internet access for health and wellness, learning, civic engagement, research and innovation, cultural richness, and thriving economies. MCNC supports improvements to ubiquitous broadband access to support digital inclusion “to and through” the community anchor institutions of many unserved and underserved areas. This resonates with the mission of MCNC because CAIs are on the front lines of meeting the goals of their surrounding communities.

MCNC is a valuable technology resource benefiting every community with the goal of making North Carolina the most connected state in the country. MCNC will continue its commitment to providing operational excellence in all of its work, and is proud to be considered for this year’s award.

The NC TECH Awards annually celebrates the best and brightest in the state’s tech sector. The event recognizes innovation, growth and leadership, and includes a reception, dinner, and awards ceremony on Nov. 3 at the Raleigh Convention Center. Congratulations also to ACF Technologies; Atlantic Reefmaker; Litterati; and UV Innovators, a WellAir brand, for also being nominated along with us in this award category. Applications were reviewed in a two-stage review process, led by the accounting firm Cherry Bekaert, in partnership with an independent selection committee.