HARRISBURG – Gov. Edward G. Rendell said Pennsylvania will receive $5.1 million in federal Recovery Act funds to help boost broadband Internet access across the state. The award supplements $2.2 million in funds the state received in January.
The money will help the commonwealth improve broadband coverage data by continuing its broadband mapping effort for another five years. The Department of Community and Economic Development and the Office of Administration’s Governor’s Office for Information Technology will develop a map of the state’s broadband infrastructure with collected broadband coverage data, plan strategies to address gaps, implement the commonwealth’s statewide broadband plan and identify barriers to Internet adoption and usage.
“This grant comes on the heels of the very successful Pennsylvania Broadband Summit earlier this month to discuss the future of broadband in the commonwealth,” Rendell said. “High-speed Internet access will be a critical factor in our ability to compete in the global economy, attract and create new jobs, increase access and improve the quality of health care, and provide countless other benefits to citizens throughout Pennsylvania.”
Funds will also be used to support a statewide technical assistance program to foster and facilitate the implementation of connectivity solutions by businesses and community anchor institutions; to conduct broadband cost modeling and develop tools that estimate the costs of deploying and maintaining broadband services in regions of Pennsylvania that are not served or underserved; and research and benchmark efforts that identify, measure and track barriers to broadband adoption among Pennsylvania manufacturers.
The grant was awarded to the commonwealth by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s State Broadband Data and Development Program.
The statewide broadband plan is available at www.recovery.pa.gov, click on “Opportunities” and “Broadband (Hi-Speed Data Transfer) Opportunities.”
Information on Pennsylvania’s broadband deployment efforts and initiatives is available at www.broadbandinpa.com
Learn more about how Recovery Act funds are benefiting Pennsylvania at www.recovery.pa.gov.