Harnett County Commissioners delay $800k Ripple Fiber payment

Commissioners delayed an $800,000 final payment to Ripple Fiber at the Aug. 11 meeting over questions about who will pay $600,000 in damages to county waterlines.

They moved the payment vote to the Aug. 17 meeting.

After Ripple Fiber presented updates on it 3,198 locations that are part of the county-funded grant, plus progress updates on the additional 625 locations that are included in the state-funded grant throughout Harnett County and the state, commissioners chose to delay the payment so the representative could provide answers.

The total due to Ripple Fiber for the completion of Phase Two is $800,000 of the total payout of $2 million since Nov. 2023.

No taxpayer funds were used for broadband installations.

Commissioners expressed concerns about area broadband projects:

• Work crew professionalism
• No notification of upcoming fiber installations
• $600,000 in damages to water lines
• The explanation of subcontractors working for subcontractors and trying to pinpoint who will fund repairs.
• Trout said the county can bill a contractor.
• Morris said he talked to crews, and they did not know who they were working for.
• Digging through citizens’ front yards without notice

County Attorney Christopher Appel will work with commissioners to create a resolution against the current law that prevents local government from prohibiting the sale of vape products. They will add a request that the General Assembly pass N.C. Bill 328 redefining hemp product sales.

“That just seems absolutely asinine that we can’t protect our citizens,” Vice-Chairman Matt Nicol said.

Learn about N.C. Bill 328.

County Manager Brent Trout asked Appel if a vape shop closed, how could the county prevent another one from opening, and the attorney said they could only delay it for six months under current state law.

The next meeting is Aug. 17 at 6 p.m.

Aug. 11, 2026

Stephanie M. Sellers