CONCORD – Kinetic, a business unit of Windstream Holdings, will double the number of fiber-eligible locations in the Charlotte suburb of Concord by the middle of next year, the company announced today.

According to the company, Kinetic will invest $2 billion in a multi-year construction initiative that aims to expand gigabit internet service by deploying fiber across its 18-state footprint.

Concord, N.C., has been named a “premium market,” for the investment, the company shared in a statement.

U.S. Senator Thom Tillis was in Concord for an event at the company’s retail location in Concord, and discussed the company’s plans with employees in the field to learn more about broadband infrastructure, according to a statement issued by the company.

Stacy Hale, President of State Operations for Kinetic shows off some of the new construction equipment to Senator Tillis, who was visiting to discuss fiber expansion. Photo provided by Kinetic by Windstream.

The company’s plans include hiring as many as 1,000 jobs to support the effort, announced earlier this year.  Those jobs will be a part of a new internal engineering and fiber construction organization, the company shared in its statement.

The company now employs 20 new hires in Concord, and 52 new hires in the state, bringing headcount in North Carolina to 1,082, a spokesperson for the company told WRAL TechWire.  The spokesperson added that there are still open roles the company intends to fill.

Already, 18,000 Concord homes have access to the service.  By the end of the construction, the company said that an additional 16,000 homes will have access.

“We are excited that Kinetic by Windstream is expanding their high-speed, fiber-based Internet in Concord,” said Concord Mayor Bill Dusch in a statement.  “Our citizens, businesses and schools have learned during the pandemic that access to high-speed, high-quality Internet is a necessity.”

Ball Metal Beverage Container, a part of Ball Corporation, recently announced a new $384 million investment to construct an 800,000 square foot facility in Concord, along with the creation of 800 jobs in the region over a few year period.  Red Bull and Rauch will partner on opening a new facility in Concord, as well, with an investment of about $740 million, creating more than 400 jobs that pay about $50,000.