Ripple Fiber Awarded $4 Million GREAT Grant for Infrastructure Project in Harnett County, NC

Ripple Fiber Awarded $4 Million GREAT Grant for Infrastructure Project in Harnett County, NC

Fiber optic internet provider to receive funding and build fiber internet network by late 2026

HARNETT COUNTY, N.C. — April 30, 2025 — Ripple Fiber, a fiber optic internet provider based in the Southeast, is proud to announce the receiving of $4 million in federal funding for its Harnett County, North Carolina project through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and North Carolina’s Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) Grant program – a program locally led by the Broadband Infrastructure Office of the N.C. Department of Information Technology (NCDIT). This project will bring high-speed fiber internet to 856 unserved and underserved locations across the county, including 844 homes and 12 businesses, by late 2026. Internet access will significantly improve for the impacted residents and enterprises in Broadway, Coats, Dunn, Lillington, and Sanford communities.

“The funding provided by North Carolina’s GREAT Grant program is critical to boosting connectivity in unserved and underserved locations across the state, and Ripple Fiber is honored to be a part of its mission,” said Bobbie Gilbert, Chief Government Affairs Officer at Ripple Fiber. “We look forward to maximizing this project’s impact through strategic initiatives and meaningful partnerships within the Harnett County community.”

This transaction is the result of a finalized agreement to acquire fiber infrastructure assets from CloudWyze, with Ripple Fiber assuming the associated broadband grants previously awarded under North Carolina’s GREAT Grant program. As of March 2025, the State of North Carolina officially approved and completed the transfer of the grant to Ripple Fiber, paving the way for the provider to execute this broadband expansion initiative.

“The GREAT grant program has enabled high-speed internet connections in unserved communities across the state,” added NCDIT Secretary and State Chief Information Officer Teena Piccione. “We appreciate Ripple Fiber’s efforts in Harnett County and are proud to help kick off this project to provide access for more North Carolinians.”

“We are excited to welcome Ripple Fiber to Harnett County,” said Brent Trout, Harnett County Manager. “We are grateful for their partnership as they bring high-speed fiber internet service to our residents and businesses. Access to broadband is a necessity and we look forward to expanding broadband to even more areas in need across Harnett County.”

With its 10 gig-ready network, Ripple Fiber provides thousands of homes with lightning-fast connectivity that will power regions for decades to come. Whether customers are using their internet for remote work or video streaming, they can rely on this service for exceptional bandwidth

and impressive upload and download speeds. Embracing optimism and recognizing the importance of digital access, Ripple Fiber strives to empower its customers by equipping them with the necessary tools to build a bright future.

Looking ahead, Ripple Fiber plans to break ground on this project in the coming months. Residents in Harnett County who would like to learn more about Ripple Fiber’s offerings can visit ripplefiber.com and follow along on social media (@ripple.fiber) for updates.

ABOUT RIPPLE FIBER

Ripple Fiber provides thousands of homes with the brightest and fastest fiber internet solutions, powered by a 10 gig-ready, 100 percent fiber optic network. With its patented technology driving rapid expansion, Ripple Fiber is redefining connectivity for communities across North Carolina, South Carolina, Michigan, and Massachusetts. Committed to promoting digital empowerment, Ripple Fiber believes the biggest wave starts as a ripple. For more information, please visit ripplefiber.com.