Gov. Tom Wolf recently celebrated the creation of Pennsylvania’s Broadband Development Authority, which will manage at least $100 million in federal aid to coordinate the rollout of broadband across the state.
“Broadband is as essential today as electricity and water. But there is a digital divide in Pennsylvania,” said Wolf. “This Broadband Authority will close the divide and ensure consistent, affordable, quality statewide broadband to keep children learning, businesses growing, and opportunities abounding for all Pennsylvanians.”
In December, Wolf signed House Bill 2071 to create the Pennsylvania Broadband Authority to serve as a one stop shop for all things broadband in Pennsylvania.
Pain from lack of reliable broadband is found statewide and was exacerbated over the past two years as Pennsylvanians relied on virtual means of communication, work and learning. While rural counties are especially vulnerable, communities outside of Pennsylvania’s biggest cities are also left behind because of inaccessibility or affordability. At least 500,000 Pennsylvanians are without broadband.
HB 2071 was championed by a bipartisan workgroup that included members of the Administration and the General Assembly.
The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority is made of an 11-member board, which includes the secretaries of the Pennsylvania Departments of Agriculture, Community and Economic Development, Education, General Services, and Budget; the executive director for the Center for Rural Pennsylvania; chairperson from the Pennsylvania Utilities Commission; and four legislative members.
