July 12, 2023 - Pittston, PA
During a visit to the Pittston Memorial Library in Luzerne County, Governor Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) Executive Director Brandon Carson highlighted the Shapiro Administration's plans to expand broadband access across the Commonwealth using more than $1.16 billion in funding through the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program and outlined plans to ensure every Pennsylvanian can access the internet. Last month, Governor Shapiro announced that the Commonwealth will receive $1.16 billion to expand broadband infrastructure to communities that currently lack reliable, affordable, high-speed internet access as a part of President Biden's "Internet for All" initiative. Across Luzerne County, residents have varying access to broadband services, and more than 7,000 locations are currently unserved or underserved. The Shapiro Administration is working to change that so every Luzerne County resident can access reliable, affordable, high-speed internet, which will lead to better health outcomes, better education outcomes, and better economic outcomes. "Across Pennsylvania, more than 276,000 households, businesses, schools, and libraries don't have access to broadband at all - and another 52,000 don't have access to broadband they can rely on when they need it. In Luzerne County alone, more than 7,000 locations are unserved or underserved," said Governor Shapiro. "Connecting people to high speed, affordable internet, right now, will help grow our economy and strengthen our communities. My Administration is ready to do that work - and thanks to support from our federal partners like President Biden, Senator Casey, Senator Fetterman, and Congressman Cartwright, the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority will continue to partner with local and federal officials to bring broadband to communities all across Pennsylvania."List of SpeakersJessica Lane, Pittston Memorial Library DirectorMayor Michael LombardoState Rep. Jim HaddochState Senator Marty FlynnBrandon Carson, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Broadband Development AuthorityGovernor Shapiro
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