Bridging Hickory’s Digital Divide: Broadband Gaps, Education, and Community Efforts

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Hickory’s Digital Landscape in Context

Why Digital and Technological Access Is a Necessity in Hickory

Hickory, North Carolina is a city with a proud industrial heritage and an unexpected claim to fame in the tech world: it’s a major hub for fiber-optic cable manufacturing. Nearly 40% of all U.S.-made fiber-optic cable comes from the Hickory area, thanks to local companies like CommScope and (Corningprospect.org) (broadbandbreakfast.com). This industry provides thousands of jobs and has attracted big investments – for example, CommScope and Corning recently announced $550 million combined in factory expansions, adding hundreds of jobs in Catawba County (broadbandbreakfast.com). Ironically, even as Hickory helps “connect America” with all that fiber, not every home in Hickory is connected to high-speed internet. Like many communities its size, Hickory faces a digital divide: gaps in broadband access and adoption that impact education and opportunity.

Broadband internet today is “as essential as running water and electricity,” touching everything from school and job applications to healthcare (wfae.org). The COVID-19 pandemic drove this point home, when daily life moved online and having (or lacking) reliable internet became a defining factor in whether students could learn and businesses could operate. In Hickory and similar communities, this raised urgent questions: Who still doesn’t have internet access? How are our schools and local leaders addressing these gaps? And what is being done – or not done – by business and government to bring everyone into the digital age?

Broadband Gaps: Hickory vs. Region and State

When it comes to home internet, Hickory has made progress but still has notable gaps. In Catawba County (where Hickory is the largest city), about 87% of households have an internet subscription, meaning roughly 1 in 8 households still lack home internet service (ispreports.org). Practically 100% of the county’s homes have at least some level of internet available (as providers report), yet availability doesn’t always equal quality or affordability (catawbacountync.gov) (ispreports.org). Only about 72% of households have access to a wired broadband option like cable, DSL, or fiber at their address – the remainder must rely on expensive or slower technologies (6% use satellite, for instance) (ispreports.org). Even more striking, true fiber-optic connectivity is limited: just 22% of Catawba County households can get fiber service, compared to about 65% statewide (ispreports.org). In short, many Hickory-area residents are still on older infrastructure.

These numbers show a clear broadband gap. An Internet “availability vs. usage” analysis finds that while 99%+ of local homes could connect at basic speeds (25 Mbps or more), only ~87% actually do – suggesting issues like cost or digital skills are barriers for the remaining 12-13% (ispreports.org). The good news is Hickory’s adoption rate is only slightly below the North Carolina average (88-89%), but closing that last gap is important. Statewide, at least 1.1 million NC households lack high-speed internet access, can’t afford it, or don’t have the skills to use it – a disparity Governor Roy Cooper has highlighted in efforts to achieve “digital equity for all North Carolinians” (broadbandusa.ntia.doc.gov).

Hickory’s situation reflects a broader pattern in North Carolina. In urban Mecklenburg County (Charlotte), for example, about 21% of households have no home broadband (14% with no internet at all, plus 7% relying only on cell phones or dial-up) (wfae.org) – often due to affordability in low-income neighborhoods. In more rural counties west of Hickory, the challenge is even more about infrastructure: large swaths of rural NC still have “broadband” only in the loosest sense, sometimes just a slow 25/3 Mbps connection that struggles with Zoom classes (wfae.org). On state maps, Charlotte shows up relatively well-connected, while the foothills and mountain regions around Hickory used to be a sea of “red” and “orange” indicating unserved areas (wfae.org). The digital divide is both an urban affordability issue and a rural access issue. Hickory sits somewhere in the middle – a small city with both city and rural fringe challenges.

Crucially, efforts are underway to bridge these gaps. Private investment is starting to make a dent: Brightspeed (a telecom provider) announced in 2024 a multi-million dollar project to extend fiber-optic internet to nearly 35,000 homes and businesses in Hickory and surrounding Catawba County (brightspeed.com). Construction crews will be laying new fiber in neighborhoods that “have lacked quality internet service,” giving residents a new high-speed option beyond the old phone or satellite lines (brightspeed.com). Likewise, MetroNet, an Indiana-based fiber company, partnered with the City of Hickory in recent years on a $36 million fiber build-out, aiming to make gigabit (1,000 Mbps) speeds available citywide. These investments mean that in the next couple of years, many more Hickory-area households should see truly fast, reliable internet become available.

At the same time, public programs are filling in the hardest-to-reach pockets. North Carolina has leveraged federal funds (from the American Rescue Plan and infrastructure bills) to create the GREAT Grants and new “Stop Gap Solutions” program targeting remaining unserved homes. In January 2024, the White House announced $82 million for the Stop Gap program to connect 16,000 additional NC homes and businesses – focused on those small clusters of houses that previous big grants missed (broadbandbreakfast.com). The state’s broadband office will work county-by-county, including in the Hickory metro area, to identify these last “dead zones” and fund solutions (broadbandbreakfast.com). The goal, as President Biden said in Raleigh, is to “finish the job” of reaching all homes, schools, and businesses by the end of the decade (broadbandbreakfast.com). Between these new investments and existing programs, over 300,000 North Carolina homes and businesses are slated to gain affordable high-speed internet access in the coming years (broadbandbreakfast.com) – a significant step toward closing the divide.

Education Outcomes and the Digital Divide

Broadband access isn’t just a tech issue; it directly impacts education, especially in a community like Hickory. The Hickory Public Schools have faced academic challenges in recent years, and local educators know that a lack of internet or devices at home can put students further behind. Recent data on education outcomes in Hickory are sobering. In 2024, only 25.5% of Hickory’s 3rd–8th graders achieved “college-and-career ready” scores in reading, and only 31.0% did so in math (dashboard.myfuturenc.org). In other words, roughly three-quarters of Hickory’s middle-grade students are not meeting that higher proficiency bar in core subjects. (Even by the more modest grade-level standard, fewer than half may be on track – for example, an external report noted about 48% of Hickory elementary students test proficient in reading (usnews.com)). These rates fall far below the state’s long-term goals (North Carolina hopes to reach ~73% proficiency in reading eventually) (dashboard.myfuturenc.org).

There are of course many factors behind test scores, but the digital divide doesn’t help. During the COVID-19 remote learning period, students without reliable internet or a computer at home had a much harder time keeping up. Hickory’s schools serve a diverse and high-need population – about 65% of students come from economically disadvantaged families (projects.propublica.org), and the district is 56% nonwhite (projects.propublica.org). These students are the most likely to lack home internet or devices. Imagine trying to join a Zoom class or submit online homework from a household with no broadband – it’s a recipe for falling behind. In fact, Hickory City Schools saw chronic absenteeism spike to 27% in 2023 (dashboard.myfuturenc.org), and educators noted that some absences were effectively caused by connectivity issues (students simply couldn’t log on for remote classes).

Local officials and nonprofits have recognized this and taken action. One innovative response was the “Wi-Fi for All” initiative led by the Catawba County Library during the pandemic. County officials saw the internet gap becoming a chasm for many families, so the library used a state CARES grant to quickly install free Wi-Fi access points at seven community locations (govlaunch.com). They wired up places like the Hickory Soup Kitchen and Plaza Latina (a local community hub) with external Wi-Fi that reaches into the parking lots, so people without home internet could still get online easily, even from their cars (govlaunch.com). For students, this meant a safe place to go get a free connection to do schoolwork. The library also deployed 118 tablet computers on loan to residents who lacked a device (govlaunch.com). This effort earned a statewide innovation award in 2022 and saw heavy use (around 15,000 monthly Wi-Fi sessions within the first year) (govlaunch.com). It’s a powerful example of a community stepping up to ensure that kids’ education isn’t halted by something as basic as not having Wi-Fi at home.

The long-term impact of the digital divide on education is something Hickory’s leaders are keeping an eye on. While the high school graduation rate is relatively solid at ~88% (ednc.org), there remain stark achievement gaps. For instance, Black students in Hickory are, on average, about 3 grade levels behind their white peers academically (projects.propublica.org) – a gap influenced by socioeconomic disparities and access to resources (including technology). Bridging the digital divide is seen as one piece of the puzzle in closing these gaps. When every student can reliably get online to research, do homework, or take enrichment courses, it levels the playing field just a bit more. As one national study put it during the pandemic, what was a gap became a chasm – but Hickory is working to build bridges across that chasm.

Community Leadership and Responses in Tech

Addressing digital and technology issues in Hickory has truly been a community-wide effort. Business leaders, local government, and nonprofits have each played a role – some in enthusiastic support, others historically with constraints or skepticism. Overall, Hickory’s civic spirit leans towards pragmatic support for expanding connectivity and tech infrastructure, seeing it as key to the area’s future.

Local businesses and industry have generally been strong allies in pushing Hickory forward technologically. A standout example is CommScope, the fiber-optic cable manufacturer that is one of Hickory’s largest employers. CommScope not only ramped up production to meet national broadband goals, but also invested locally: in 2021, the company donated $275,000 to equip downtown Hickory’s Union Square with free public Wi-Fi (prospect.org). Now anyone in the heart of the city – students, shoppers, tourists – can hop online, thanks to this partnership. The stage on the square is even named the “CommScope Stage” in recognition of their contribution (prospect.org). Company leaders have spoken out about their commitment to connectivity; as CommScope’s communications director put it, “We believe everyone should have reliable access to broadband.” (prospect.org) This kind of vocal support matters in a community – it signals that the business community sees digital infrastructure as foundational, not optional.

Hickory’s tech industry presence also includes big names like Apple and Microsoft, which have established data centers in the area. In 2021 Apple announced a $500 million expansion of its data center in Catawba County, and in 2022 Microsoft, together with county officials, unveiled a $1 billion investment over ten years for more data storage facilities (prospect.org). These projects don’t create as many jobs as manufacturing, but they reinforce the region’s identity as a growing tech hub. Local leaders have welcomed these investments, often coordinating on infrastructure needs (like fiber routes and power) to accommodate them. The presence of such companies also underscores to elected officials that high-speed connectivity is now critical infrastructure if we want to attract and keep employers.

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and community groups have been key on the digital inclusion front. Beyond the library system’s Wi-Fi initiative mentioned earlier, organizations like the Center for Digital Equity (based in nearby Charlotte) have provided guidance and programs that extend into the region. In affordable housing complexes not far from Hickory, outreach events have distributed refurbished laptops and taught digital skills (wfae.org) – strategies that could be replicated in Hickory’s public housing communities. Local churches and charities have also chipped in, some by setting up “homework hotpots” or lending out mobile hotspots to families. While Hickory might not have a large tech-focused NGO scene of its own, it certainly benefits from regional efforts and the dedication of local community volunteers who understand that internet access = opportunity in today’s world.

Elected officials and governance in North Carolina present a mixed picture of support and roadblocks on broadband issues. Locally, Hickory’s city and Catawba County officials have been generally supportive of expanding internet access. The City of Hickory has demonstrated openness to public-private partnerships – the deal with MetroNet to build fiber is one example, where the city eased the path for the company in exchange for citywide coverage promises. Catawba County commissioners have likewise made broadband a strategic priority, incorporating it into economic development plans (catawbacountync.gov). They recognize that internet connectivity is a “means to an end” for attracting businesses and supporting education (catawbacountync.gov). In fact, the county has pursued state Completing Access to Broadband (CAB) grants to fund service in rural corners of the county, and the region secured part of that $82 million Stop Gap funding in 2024 to wire up remaining homes (broadbandbreakfast.com).

However, at the state governance level, North Carolina has had some notorious hurdles. In 2011, the state passed one of the nation’s most restrictive laws against municipal broadband networks (communitynets.org). This law essentially barred cities and counties from creating their own internet services or expanding existing ones beyond their county lines (communitynets.org). Hickory, therefore, could not choose to follow in the footsteps of Wilson, NC – a similarly sized city (pop. ~50,000) which built its own renowned Greenlight fiber network. Wilson’s Greenlight network, launched in 2008, turned that city into North Carolina’s first Gigabit City and is credited with boosting Wilson’s economic revitalization and even improving educational connectivity (all schools there were linked to fiber by 2012) (communitynets.org). But after Wilson proved municipal broadband could succeed, the state effectively slammed the door so that no other city could do the same (communitynets.org). The law was justified at the time by claims that city-run networks would fail or were unfair competition – yet Wilson’s didn’t fail, and citizens in places like Hickory have been left wondering what might have been if such local solutions were allowed (communitynets.org). Local elected leaders in Hickory have generally voiced frustration with these constraints. They’ve had to work indirectly – by lobbying state officials for more grants and by partnering with private ISPs – rather than having the option to invest directly in a community network.

The good news is that momentum is shifting. State leaders (on a bipartisan basis) now talk openly about closing the digital divide and have put significant funding behind it (broadbandusa.ntia.doc.gov). Governor Cooper’s broadband initiatives and the creation of a Division of Broadband and Digital Equity show a strong official commitment. And Hickory’s representatives in Raleigh have supported recent budgets that fund rural broadband expansion. While the 2011 municipal broadband restrictions still stand as of 2025, there’s increasing pressure to loosen those rules given the lessons of the pandemic and federal push for universal access. For Hickory’s part, the city has found ways to “make it work” within the rules – leveraging private capital (e.g. Metronet, Brightspeed) and using public facilities like libraries to extend connectivity. It may not be as straightforward as Wilson’s path, but the level of support among business, government, and community stakeholders in Hickory is largely aligned: everyone wants to see the gaps filled.

Looking Ahead: Opportunities for Hickory and Similar Communities

Hickory isn’t alone in this journey. Across North Carolina, communities of similar size – from Wilson to Salisbury to Morganton – have grappled with the same digital challenges. Some have pioneered innovative solutions. Wilson, as mentioned, took the bold step of a city-owned network and is now cited as a model (its Greenlight service offers some of the fastest speeds in the state and even provides low-cost $10/month plans for public housing residents) (communitynets.org). Salisbury (population ~34,000) built a municipal fiber network (“Fibrant”) that, despite early financial struggles, eventually brought gigabit internet to residents and was later commercialized via a private partner. Other towns have leaned on electric cooperatives to deliver broadband – for instance, co-ops in the NC foothills have started running fiber lines along their grids to reach farm communities. These examples show that where there’s a will, there’s a way: communities are finding different ways to get their people connected, whether through public infrastructure or creative partnerships.

For Hickory, the path forward likely involves a bit of everything: continued private sector expansion, smart use of state/federal funds, and community-driven programs to ensure no one is left out. The influx of federal broadband dollars (North Carolina is receiving over $1 billion from recent legislation) is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. Hickory’s manufacturers are even benefiting from that indirectly – since the broadband buildout uses “Buy America” materials, the local fiber cable factories are booming (prospect.org). This is a great example of industrial policy meeting local needs: Hickory’s fiber plants expand jobs, which produce the cable, which in turn will bring broadband to rural areas and urban neighborhoods in need (prospect.org). It’s a full circle that residents can appreciate both economically and in quality of life.

Local leaders, including business owners and elected officials, continue to stress that connectivity is tied to community vitality. As one small business owner in downtown Hickory observed, the city has been investing in making the community more livable and attractive – and part of that is having modern amenities like public Wi-Fi, tech incubators, and training programs for the workforce (prospect.org) (communitynets.org). There is a real sense that Hickory, a former furniture manufacturing capital that was hit hard by offshoring, has a chance at a tech-driven revival. Bringing world-class internet to every corner of the city and surrounding counties is seen as foundational to that revival. It enables remote work opportunities, tech startups, online education, telehealth for rural residents – all pieces of a vibrant, modern community.

Of course, challenges remain. Affordability will still be a concern even after broadband is technically available everywhere. Programs like the federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provide $30/month subsidies to low-income families for internet service, and about 2% of Catawba households are already using such subsidies (ispreports.org). Spreading awareness of these programs and digital skills training will be important so that new infrastructure actually translates into higher adoption. Hickory’s stakeholders understand that inclusion is the end goal – it’s not just about laying fiber optic cable, but about making sure people can and do use it to improve their lives.

In summary, the Hickory area’s experience with the digital divide illustrates both the difficulties and the hopeful momentum in bridging that divide. On one hand, we see the reality of broadband gaps – a significant minority of households without access, students struggling to get online, and a city that until recently had less fiber service than many places. On the other hand, we see a community pulling together: companies donating Wi-Fi and expanding networks, libraries and nonprofits innovating to get people connected, and officials at all levels prioritizing the issue. For a passionate community like Hickory, which cares deeply about its future, these efforts are not just tech upgrades – they are investments in education, economic opportunity, and quality of life. Every new home that gets a high-speed connection, every child who gains internet access for their homework, is a small victory for the community as a whole.

As Hickory and similar communities in North Carolina continue on this path, their residents can look forward to a day when the term “digital divide” is a relic of the past – when everyone in the Hickory area, from the city center to the rural edges, truly has the broadband they need to thrive in the modern world. It’s an ambitious goal, but with the broad support seen from business, government, and grassroots citizens alike, it’s one that feels more achievable than ever.

CommScope’s headquarters in Hickory. The city is home to major fiber-optic cable manufacturers, and these companies have become key players in local broadband initiatives (prospect.org).

Sources

• Catawba County Digital Connectivity Profile – ISP Reports / American Community Survey dataispreports.orgispreports.org

• myFutureNC Hickory Attainment Profile 2024 – Hickory City Schools education outcomesdashboard.myfuturenc.org

• ProPublica “Miseducation” Project – Hickory City Schools demographics and gapsprojects.propublica.orgprojects.propublica.org

• WFAE (Charlotte NPR) – “Who’s on the wrong side of the digital divide in NC” (Jul 2023) (wfae.org)

• The American Prospect – “The Small Town That’s Connecting America” (Aug 2023) (prospect.org)

• BroadbandBreakfast.com – “Biden Unveils $82M for NC Internet Access” (Jan 2024) (broadbandbreakfast.com)

• GovLaunch Case Study – “Catawba County Wi-Fi for All” project (2021) (govlaunch.com)

• Institute for Local Self-Reliance – “Wilson Greenlight Municipal Broadband Case Study” (2020) (communitynets.org)

• Brightspeed Press Release – “Ultra-Fast Fiber Connectivity to Hickory” (Apr 2024) (brightspeed.com)

• North Carolina DIT/Broadband Office – Digital Divide statistics and initiatives (broadbandusa.ntia.doc.gov)