Wolf administration announces $5M for statewide broadband projects

Pennsylvania will provide $5 million through the Unserved High-Speed Broadband Funding Program (UHSB) to projects that expand high-speed broadband service infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas.

UHSB supports new private sector investments that expand high-speed broadband access that enhances education, emergency services, health care, and economic development.

The Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) will award grants to nongovernmental entities with managerial, financial, and technical expertise to design, build and operate high-speed broadband service infrastructure in unserved areas.

“Pennsylvania’s broadband internet access limitations create an unfair playing field, leaving too many counties disadvantaged in the state’s digital divide,” Gov. Tom Wolf said. “The challenging last year only magnified how critical the need for this access is for everyone—for school, for work, and for leisure—and this program marks an important step in the commonwealth’s continued efforts to close that digital divide.”

Applications will be accepted from June 1 through September 24.

Established in 2004, CFA is an independent agency of the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). It administers the state’s economic stimulus packages and holds fiduciary responsibility for funding programs and investments in state economic growth.

The CFA is comprised of four legislative appointees along with the secretaries of the DCED, the Office of the Budget, and the Department of Banking and Securities.