From staff reports
Pennsylvania will receive $1,161,778,272 from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to expand high-speech internet access across the state, according to a news release from U.S. Sen Bob Casey’s office.
The funding, part of President Joe Biden’s “Internet for All” initiative, brings Pennsylvania’s total of federal funding under the Biden administration for high-speed internet to $1,776,854,539.
“High-speed internet is a necessity today and without it, Pennsylvanians are left at a disadvantage. Our rural communities are particularly impacted by a lack of reliable, high-speed internet access.” Casey said.
U.S. Sen. John Fetterman said reliable broadband 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.”
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said the lack of high-speed internet “for too long” has been a barrier to success to many Pennsylvanians.
“Affordable, quality internet is no longer a luxury, and residents across Pennsylvania need it to access telehealth, school and career opportunities,” she said.
The funding will go to the Pennsylvania Broadband Authority, the release said.
