Amends GS 143B-1373 to require applications submitted for Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology grants include a listing of areas in the State that are being served with broadband access by the applicant. Requires that protests to grant applications submitted under subsection (e) include a listing of areas in the State that are being served broadband access by the protestor. Permits the Broadband Infrastructure Office in the Department of Information Technology (Office) to deny any application or protest for being incomplete, in addition to the current ground of inaccurate information. Directs the Office to distribute federal grant funds for broadband expansion in accordance with the section, GS 143B-1373.1 (Completing Access to Broadband program), or as otherwise directed by the General Assembly. No longer provides that the federal funds for expansion remain unexpended until appropriated by an act of the NCGA. Defines broadband expansion. 

Amends Section 38.5 of SL 2021-180, as amended, to include businesses, state facilities, and community anchor institutions, along with the current households, in the list of unserved and underserved locations justifying grants from the Department of Information Technology to broadband providers for the installation and provision of broadband service. Amends Section 38.4(b) to include digital equity planning and grant funds received by the Department of Information Technology in the list of appropriated federal funds that the Department may use for broadband programs.