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PA receives record funding from Biden Administration for internet expansion
More than $793 million in federally funded Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program grants have been announced by the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority. PHOTO/FILE
PA receives record funding from Biden Administration for internet expansion
Listen to this articlePennsylvania is receiving more than $1.16 billion from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to expand high-speed internet access across the state.
The $1,161,778,272 total represents the single largest federal investment in broadband internet infrastructure in Pennsylvania history.
U.S. Democratic Senators Bob Casey and John Fetterman announced the funding Monday as part of President Joe Biden’s “Internet for All” initiative. Under the Biden Administration, Pennsylvania’s total of federal funding under for high-speed internet is $1,776,854,539.
Casey sad high-speed internet is a necessity, and without it, Pennsylvanians are at a disadvantage.
“Our rural communities are particularly impacted by a lack of reliable, high-speed internet access,” Casey said in a statement. “This record-setting investment from the infrastructure law will help ensure Pennsylvania students have every opportunity to learn, families to stay connected, and small businesses to stay competitive in an increasingly digital world.”
Fetterman agreed, adding that reliable broadband internet access is almost as fundamental as electricity or running water.
“We can’t let our rural and other underserved communities get left behind due to lack of broadband access,” Fetterman said. “This funding is a big deal and will help deliver more broadband for all people, in rural and urban areas, so that everyone has equitable access to stable high-speed internet at home.”
The funding is provided by the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program, which is part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and allocates funding directly to the states. Funding will go to the Pennsylvania Broadband Authority.
Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo referred to the record-setting funding as an “historic investment” to connect Pennsylvania families.
“For too long, lack of high-speed internet access has been a barrier to success for so many Pennsylvanians,” Raimondo said. “Affordable, quality, internet is no longer a luxury and residents across Pennsylvania need it to access telehealth, school, and career opportunities.”
