eNCore to bridge North Carolina's digital divide

New business powered by Fybe, MCNC and Roanoke Cooperative will be a technology game changer for high-speed internet in rural North Carolina

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. and AHOSKIE, N.C., Feb. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- MCNC, one of the nation's largest and oldest research and education networks, and Fybe, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Roanoke Cooperative, today announced the creation of eNCore. This new non-profit collaboration is tasked with bridging the digital divide for residential and business communities throughout rural North Carolina – providing next-generation connectivity and high-speed access to all the modern resources needed to participate in today's digital economy.

Bo Coughlin, chief operating officer for Fybe, explained that the transformative power of broadband can change the lives of so many in North Carolina, but eNCore's approach is more than just the technology. "eNCore goes beyond connecting communities – it connects dreams, aspirations and limitless possibilities for a more connected North Carolina," Coughlin said. "North Carolina's broadband challenges require bold strategies. eNCore was formed as a shared call to action to remedy the technological inequities that keep so many in North Carolina from reaching their full potential. This innovative approach to addressing those inequities is where eNCore provides a key differentiator." 

Tracy Doaks, president and CEO of MCNC, reiterated that addressing digitally distressed areas in North Carolina is an economic and social priority. "As a nonprofit, eNCore and its member organizations will provide essential broadband infrastructure and services to empower businesses and individuals to ensure no community gets left behind," Doaks added. "Community-driven, scalable models like eNCore that encourages participation from all levels will drive the economy in our state to new heights."

Marshall Cherry, chief executive officer of Roanoke Cooperative, articulated that the ongoing initiatives at eNCore are not only generational but also historic in nature. "Although eNCore is in its nascent stages, its overarching vision is comprehensive and is poised to serve as a pivotal contributor to economic development in numerous rural and underserved communities throughout North Carolina, both this year and in the years to come," Cherry said. "This represents a particularly exhilarating period for our state!"

About eNCore

eNCore is a collaboration of Fybe, MCNC and Roanoke Cooperative formed in 2024 to improve the technology, economic and social landscape of North Carolina. eNCore and affiliated organizations aim to bridge the digital divide in North Carolina by empowering overlooked, unserved and underserved communities with all the modern resources needed to fully participate in today's digital economy. Visit www.encorenc.org.

SOURCE MCNC