Funding announced to help close digital divide in Central Pa.

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To help close the digital divide in Pennsylvania, over $793 million in federally funded Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program grants have been announced by the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority.

Among the statewide grants, two Internet Service Providers—Comcast and Talkie Communications—received more than $46 million to expand broadband internet service in unserved or underserved areas of southern York County. According to a release, the investments align with the goals and priority investment areas identified by York County‘s YoCo Fiber Broadband Task Force and were supported and encouraged by the York County Commissioners.

“Expanding access to broadband internet is a priority for York County. These grants reinforce that our proactive approach is working for residents and businesses in rural York County,” President Commissioner Julie Wheeler said in a statement. “Since 2020, we have worked through the county’s Broadband Task Force to ensure we are ready for opportunities such as this and that we can get our fair share of the limited federal available funding.”

While Comcast has been active in York County for decades, Maryland-based Talkie Communications has recently been contracted by the county to expand broadband internet in southern York County. Talkie began the buildout of its southern York County network earlier this year.

Since formalizing a partnership with the county in 2025, Talkie has committed an additional $13 million in private capital to expanding internet access in southern York County. The new BEAD allocation will allow Talkie to reach even more homes and businesses not currently served by existing internet providers.

“In York County, we take an all-of-the-above approach to closing the digital divide,” said Silas Chamberlin, chair of the YoCo Fiber Broadband Task Force. “Any time a provider is expanding service, whether it’s fiber or wireless, newcomer or incumbent, or public or privately financed, it’s a win for our county, our residents, and our businesses when they are better connected to the internet.”

The networks proposed under the recently awarded BEAD grants must await final approval by the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority before commencing.