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.
Future Chapel Hill Affordable Senior Housing Development Earns $1.3 Million Tax Credit Award
A future affordable senior housing development in Chapel Hill was recently awarded with $1.3 million in tax credits.
Orange County: Thursday Commissioners Meeting, Economic Impact of Tourism
Chair of the Orange County Commissioners Jamezetta Bedford spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Wednesday, September 3, discussing county news and events. She previewed the upcoming Thursday meeting of the county commissioners. She also talked about tourism in Orange County after some tourism impact data was released by the Orange County Tourism Office. She also discussed upcoming county events and more.
Labor Day to Affect Local Government Services Around Orange County Community (2025)
Monday marks the observance of Labor Day, which is meant to celebrate the contribution of workers and employees across the United States. With that, the local governments in Orange County will be giving many of their employees the day off, which will affect certain local government services. Ahead of the holiday on Monday, September 1, […]
Orange County: Displaced Residents Funding, Tax Appraisal Work Group
Chair of the Orange County Commissioners Jamezetta Bedford spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Wednesday, August 27, discussing county news and events. She talked about the board of commissioners unanimous vote to further fund housing for residents displaced by Tropical Depression Chantal. She also updated other items from the meeting, including the proposal of a Tax Appraisal Work Group. She talked about the UPROAR Festival which came to a close this past weekend, and more.
Facing End of Temporary Shelter, Displaced Camelot Village Residents Lament Landlord Inaction and Limited Options
Some flood victims from Camelot Village have not received July rent or security deposits back even as they face financial and housing strains.
Triangle Land Conservancy Files Lawsuit Against Union Grove Farm
Triangle Land Conservancy has filed a lawsuit against Union Grove Farm for alleged violations to the nonprofit’s conservation easement.
›