President Joe Biden is going to North Carolina on Thursday to highlight $82 million in new investments that would connect 16,000 households and businesses to high-speed internet. Biden’s reelection campaign has made winning North Carolina and its 16 electoral votes one of its top priorities in this year’s presidential election. The Democrat narrowly lost the state in 2020 by 1.34 percentage points to then-President Donald Trump, the current Republican front-runner in what will likely be a political rematch in 2024.
Quick Read
- Biden’s Visit to North Carolina: President Joe Biden will visit Raleigh, North Carolina, to announce new investments aimed at expanding high-speed internet access in the state.
- Investment Details: The administration plans to invest $82 million to connect approximately 16,000 households and businesses to high-speed internet in North Carolina.
- Electoral Strategy: Biden’s trip to North Carolina is part of his reelection campaign strategy, highlighting the importance of winning the state and its 16 electoral votes. Biden narrowly lost North Carolina in the 2020 presidential election to Donald Trump.
- Focus on Digital Connectivity: During his visit, Biden intends to emphasize the significance of connecting underserved communities and businesses to the digital economy, especially in poorer areas.
- Addressing Economic Concerns: The administration seeks to address economic challenges, particularly inflation, which reached a 40-year high in June 2022. Despite easing inflation rates, Biden’s approval ratings have been affected by economic issues.
- Impact on North Carolina: The administration’s efforts have already provided discounted internet service to 880,000 households in North Carolina, aiming to increase digital accessibility.
- Broader Commitment: The total commitment for internet expansion in North Carolina is approximately $3 billion, with the goal of connecting an additional 300,000 residents by the end of 2026.
The Associated Press has the story:
Biden will promote internet access in N. Carolina, a state he hopes to win in 2024 election
Newslooks- WASHINGTON (AP) —
President Joe Biden is going to North Carolina on Thursday to highlight $82 million in new investments that would connect 16,000 households and businesses to high-speed internet.
Biden’s reelection campaign has made winning North Carolina and its 16 electoral votes one of its top priorities in this year’s presidential election. The Democrat narrowly lost the state in 2020 by 1.34 percentage points to then-President Donald Trump, the current Republican front-runner in what will likely be a political rematch in 2024.
The Democratic president plans to use his stop in the state capital of Raleigh to stress that his administration is connecting poorer communities and businesses to the digital economy.
Polling shows that the economy has been a weakness for Biden, a reflection of inflation hitting a four-decade high in June 2022. Easing inflation rates since then have yet to pull Biden’s approval ratings back to their levels at the start of his presidency.
One way the administration says it has lowered costs for families is by providing discounted internet service to 880,000 households in North Carolina.
The administration is committing a total of $3 billion to build out and fund internet connections in North Carolina. Estimates from the administration are that an additional 300,000 of the state’s residents will be able to access the internet by the end of 2026.
