HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) announced today that Juniata County is being awarded more than $11.4 million to increase access to reliable, high-speed internet, according to Sen. Judy Ward, Rep. Perry Stambaugh and Rep. David Rowe.
“In today’s technological age, access to reliable and high-quality broadband is essential,” Ward said. “These projects will help to modernize and upgrade internet capability in Juniata County and will help those individuals better engage with the community around them and pursue their best lives.”
“Counties in the 86th State House District are among the 11 statewide where more than 50 percent of tested broadband connections were measured as ‘unserved,’ having Internet speeds below 25/3 Mbps,” said Stambaugh. “Better access to high-speed [200/200 Mbps or better] Internet service will begin to bridge the rural-urban digital divide and bring world-class telecommunication services to our businesses, schools, and families.”
“For many, access to reliable, high-speed internet is a necessity,” said Rowe. “It’s essential for the continued growth of our economy and success of small businesses. I am excited to see what doors open for residents of Juniata County as a result of this award.”
Made feasible by the federally funded Broadband Infrastructure Program, a total of $200 million in competitive grants were awarded for projects across the state lacking 25/3 Mbps internet service.
In an effort to ensure transparency and efficiency, the PBDA mandates quarterly and annual progress reports from grantees, accompanied by comprehensive guidance on state and federal requirements and technical support. All funds must be utilized by Dec. 31, 2026. Grantees will be held accountable for the prudent expenditure of awarded funds. The PBDA has the ability to claw back any unused or misused funds.
This inaugural round of grants represents a significant milestone in the PBDA’s broader initiative to close the digital divide since the General Assembly established the PBDA in 2021.
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