Appalachia Digital Accelerator
Graham Revitalization Economic Action Team (G.R.E.A.T.)
G.R.E.A.T. is a citizen-led nonprofit dedicated to improving health, education, economic opportunity, and overall quality of life in Graham County, North Carolina. Rooted in community-driven solutions, G.R.E.A.T. works to address the unique challenges facing this rural and mountainous region by fostering collaboration, strategic planning, and sustainable development initiatives. One of the organization’s most impactful efforts is the Appalachia Digital Accelerator, through which G.R.E.A.T. developed a comprehensive connectivity plan to tackle Graham County’s persistent digital divide — a critical barrier to economic and social progress. The region’s rugged terrain, high poverty rates, and lack of private sector broadband investment have resulted in limited internet access, particularly affecting small businesses, students, healthcare access, and workforce development.
The county has long struggled with limited broadband, leaving residents and businesses cut off from opportunity. The Accelerator helped us with the tools to create a plan that can change that — one that connects our community, supports local businesses, and helps keep our young people here by opening the door to remote work and economic growth.
G.R.E.A.T.’s Connectivity Plan serves as a roadmap for securing funding to enhance digital infrastructure, strengthen local businesses, expand remote work and educational opportunities, and create pathways for digital equity among residents. By advocating for strategic investments in broadband expansion, G.R.E.A.T. is laying the groundwork for a more connected, resilient, and economically vibrant future in Graham County. Through these efforts, the organization continues to drive long-term, transformative change, ensuring that rural communities are not left behind in the digital age.
What’s next
G.R.E.A.T. is now focused on securing funding and partnerships to move forward with implementing infrastructure projects and digital adoption initiatives across Graham County. The organization continues to build partnerships with local leaders, businesses, and internet service providers to bring reliable broadband to unserved areas and improve local access to connectivity, devices, and digital skills training. This work will lay the foundation for long-term economic growth and greater opportunity throughout the community.
A project in partnership with the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), which contributed $6.3 million (80% of the total project cost).
