Sen. Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-27) has announced that the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) has provisionally awarded over $32 million to expand high-speed broadband access in the 27th District. The funding will go to providers such as Amazon Kuiper, Centre WISP Venture Company LLC, Comcast, Commonwealth Telephone Company LLC, eCommunity Holdings LLC, SpaceX, Upward Broadband, and Verizon for projects in Columbia, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, Union, and Luzerne Counties.
“This investment represents a major step forward for families, schools, and small businesses across our region,” Culver said. “Reliable high-speed internet is essential in today’s world. It opens doors for education, health care, workforce development, and economic growth, and I am committed to ensuring our rural communities have the same opportunities as everywhere else in Pennsylvania.”
The grant is part of nearly $800 million allocated to Pennsylvania through the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. This initiative aims to improve broadband infrastructure throughout the state.
Applicants are expected to match the awarded funds. As a result, the total planned investment in expanding broadband services across these counties will exceed $64 million.
The PBDA’s provisional award targets households and businesses currently lacking adequate internet service. The funding also supports programs intended to make internet service more accessible for families and helps expand access to digital resources while supporting workforce development efforts.
Further information about this program can be found on the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority’s website.
