The e-NC Authority is an authority of the state of North Carolina, created by the N.C. General Assembly with a legislative mandate to track statewide access to high-speed Internet and advocate for telecommunications infrastructure deployment in underserved communities. North Carolina has been hard hit by the loss of economic mainstays - tobacco, textiles/apparel and manufacturing, and recovery and recovery from this has been slowed by lack of educational, physical and connectivity infrastructure resources needed to support the transition to a 21st century knowledge-based economy. There is a critical need for broadband expansion in North Carolina. As the world moves to a truly global economy, access to broadband infrastructure is vital in order for communities to remain competitive and participate globally. The rural areas of North Carolina are being left behind.