Internet access shouldn’t depend on your zip code.
Millions of Americans still don’t have access to reliable broadband. It affects how people work, learn, and stay connected. The gap is especially wide in rural areas where infrastructure is limited.
Foothills Broadband, an Internet Service Provider (ISP) in Valdese, North Carolina, took on this challenge. What started as a local effort quickly grew into a full-scale push to bring fiber internet to thousands of underserved homes in the region.
The Digital Divide in Rural America
Nearly 20% of the U.S. still lacks adequate internet access. The problem is especially clear in rural and remote regions, where building infrastructure is more difficult.
Without the right foundation in place, bringing high-speed internet service to these areas takes time and resources. As a result, many small towns and remote communities remain underserved.
Western North Carolina, where Foothills Broadband is based, is one of those regions. Its mountain landscape and aging infrastructure have made connectivity a long-standing challenge.
Foothills Broadband’s Mission
Foothills Broadband began with a simple goal—bring reliable internet to one mountain community in western North Carolina.
Co-founders Zachary and Jodi Chiz saw the need up close. Jodi’s parents live on Flat Gap Mountain in Valdese, North Carolina, where there is no internet access and no cell service. For years, staying connected with them had been difficult. But in 2021, the gap became personal.
“We had a really hard time with getting a hold of them,” said Zachary Chiz, who serves as COO. “They both became ill with COVID.”
With no way to check in by phone or video call, Zachary and Jodi had to make a nearly two-hour drive just to make sure they were okay. That moment was a turning point.
They started Foothills Broadband to change that—for their family and for the entire community.
“Buy Local, Stay Local, Family First” isn’t just a motto—it’s the mission. From helping a child FaceTime their grandparents to making sure someone can call for help if they need it, the goal is simple: reconnect people to people.
Today, Foothills Broadband is focused on connecting the broader region—one home, one neighborhood at a time.
Foothills Broadband’s Partnership with Atkore
Hear from Zachary Chiz, COO & Founder of Foothills Broadband, as he explains how their partnership with Atkore helps provide essential broadband services in the mountains of western North Carolina.
Infrastructure Challenges in Western North Carolina
The region came with its own set of challenges. The terrain made installation difficult. Long distances and uneven ground added time and cost to every phase of the project.
Outdated infrastructure was another hurdle. Local options in the foothills of North Carolina couldn’t support modern demands.
“The internet services that have been in our community for the last 20 to 25 years have not evolved with the technologies that are coming out in today’s market,” Chiz said.
Foothills Broadband knew they needed a different approach—one built for the future, not the past. That meant finding the right materials and partners to do the job right.
Broadband Internet Across North Carolina’s Foothills
Foothills Broadband is now delivering multi-gig symmetrical fiber internet across the region. It supports remote work, education, and everyday connectivity—giving families the tools to stay close and build a future at home.
The impact goes beyond access. The project is helping drive local sustainability and open new economic opportunities in the area.
“If I can help my generation come back, where they can work from home, and have adequate internet, and raise their family—that’s the goal,” Chiz said.
To build a network that would last, Foothills Broadband partnered with Atkore. The team relied on HDPE conduit to support the fiber expansion. “When we have that partnership with Atkore, it helps us all along the way,” Chiz said.
High-quality infrastructure made a difference—from the ground up. “When we have the quality in the product, the rest of it falls in line,” he added.
Building Broadband for the Future
Communities need strong infrastructure to stay connected. For fiber networks to last, they must be protected underground by reliable conduit. In rural areas, this matters even more.
Atkore supports broadband projects with HDPE conduit designed for long-term performance. Our conduit helps protect buried fiber and deliver internet access that families and businesses can count on.
With a nationwide network and decades of experience, Atkore offers a full range of telecom solutions to match the needs of any job. We manufacture in the U.S. and meet Build America, Buy America requirements.
From custom conduit sizes to segmented reels and delivery options, Atkore helps teams get the right materials, right when they need them.
Learn more about how broadband expansion is transforming rural communities. Download the Foothills Broadband Case Study.