place has made a huge difference.” Access to high-speed broadband has also been a priority. Over the past eight years, the county has pursued public-private partnerships and grant funding to expand coverage in rural areas.“It’s critical for work-from-home residents and education,” she adds. “COVID showed us just how urgent that need is.” In April 2025 Brightspeed was awarded over $11M to expand high-speed internet to unserved and underserved areas of Nash County. EDUCATING FOR ECONOMIC IMPACT Strong economic development requires a strong local workforce, and that starts with education. Nash County benefits from proactive partnerships between Nash Community College, Nash County Public Schools, and regional employers. “Our community college is phenomenal,” Phelps says. “They create training programs tailored to specific industry needs. And our school system is putting career pathways in place to show students what’s possible here.” The nonprofit Strategic Twin Counties Education Partnership (STEP) plays a pivotal role in this ecosystem. From elementary school career awareness to high school work-based learning opportunities, STEP connects students with industries early and often. “They’re even putting companies in high school foyers before graduation,” says Phelps. “If a student doesn’t have a plan yet, this gives them one—and helps keep talent in the region.” RECREATION RISING As the population grows, so does the need for recreation and community connection. Nash County is responding with new parks, upgraded amenities, and its first-ever indoor recreation facility. “Our parks department has seen a dramatic increase in participation,” Phelps says.“We’ve made investments in ball fields, green spaces, and recreation centers— not just in cities, but in more rural areas, too.” A fast, reliable internet connection helps drive business growth. With Brightspeed Business Fiber, you can: Grow Your Business with the Speed of Fiber Reach new markets Scale your business operations Innovate with cutting-edge digital tools www.brightspeed.com/business Unlock Superfast Speeds (833) 370-3204 8 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 06
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