Orange County is looking for your input on ways to improve internet access throughout the county.

Information Technology Director Jim Northrup says officials are trying to address a long-standing problem.

“We’ve known for years that internet does not span all of Orange County,” says Northrup. “We have a new County Mananger and she wanted to put a little more effort into trying to define the problem and come up with a solution.”

Now, officials hope to hear from as many Orange County residents as possible about the cost and quality of their broadband service. They’ve posted an online survey to gauge how you use the internet and where you live. Northrup says that location component is crucial to demonstrate the need to service providers.

“What we’re trying to do is develop a map and then, through public-private partnerships, actually present this map to internet service providers and say, ‘See, here’s 30 potential customers on this map and your infrastructure is only five miles away, why don’t you go ahead and try to supply service to those 30 customers?’”

Take the survey here.

Because this survey is designed to get responses from folks who don’t have adequate internet access, there are paper copies available at the Orange County Public Library in Hillsborough and the Cybrary in Carrboro, as well as a phone survey. Call 919-245-2294 if you need information about where to pick up a paper copy, or if you’d like to complete the survey over the phone.

Northrup says once areas are identified that lack reliable internet access, Orange County may be eligible for state and federal funding to help extend broadband service.

The deadline to respond to the county survey is August 1.

Related Stories
‹
GOP Leaders, Cooper Reach Agreement on NC Broadband Money
North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and Republican legislative leaders said on Thursday they’ve found a solution to address the potential loss of $30 million in federal coronavirus relief funds that lawmakers earmarked for rural broadband projects. A state law approved in September had funneled the money to a broadband program. But Cooper’s administration and […]
Orange County Makes Efforts to Improve Broadband in Rural Parts of County
Orange County is requesting proposals from broadband providers interested in improving service in rural parts of the county. Orange County Information Technologies was tasked with working to improve broadband technology and access for Orange County residents in 2014. Orange County chief information officer Jim Northrup updated the Board of County Commissioners last week on initiatives […]
NC House Reps Meet to Discuss Rural Broadband Access
North Carolina House Representative Graig Meyer and a representative from the State’s Office of Digital Infrastructure will speak tonight on the State’s effort to improve rural access to broadband internet across the state. The meeting, which will take place at the Schley Grange Hall, will focus on the state of broadband access in rural Orange […]
Commissioners Want To Share County WiFi Far And Wide
Orange County Commissioners say they can do more to close the digital divide.
The Morning News: Faith Hedgepeth Trial, Early Voting, UNC Football
In today's news: more DNA evidence in the Faith Hedgepeth murder trial, and extremely high turnout on the first day of early voting.
Hillsborough Mayor Calls for Release of 19-Year-Old Orange High School Graduate Detained by ICE
Hillsborough mayor Mark Bell has issued a statement in support of 19-year-old Isaac Gallegos, an Orange High School graduate and Hillsborough resident who is currently in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Gallegos has been detained since Wednesday, Oct. 7. Read Bell’s full statement below: On behalf of the Town of Hillsborough, I […]
Orange County: Chair of the Commissioners Jean Hamilton and State Senator Jonah Garson
Chair of the Orange County Commissioners Jean Hamilton and State Senator Jonah Garson spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Wednesday, October 14. In this extended conversation, they discussed a proposed constitutional amendment that would cap the income tax rate at 3.5% in the state. They talked about the potential implications of this for local and state governments to fund mandatory services for citizens, and more.
The Morning News: Election Approaching, Stolen Car Crashing - New Cradle Opening?
Get-out-the-vote efforts are underway for the 2026 election - including a concert at the site Cat's Cradle is developing as a third venue.
Early Voting in the 2026 General Election; Where to Go in Orange, Durham, and Chatham Counties
Early voting for North Carolina's general election begins on Thursday. Here is what you need to know to cast your vote.
The Morning News: Faith Hedgepeth Trial, Affordable Housing, UNC Football
In today's news: the Faith Hedgepeth murder trial continues, and a local nonprofit cuts the ribbon on four affordable homes.
›