Representatives of local, state, and federal governments including PA Senator Bob Casey met this morning at the offices of the Adams Economic Alliance (AEA) to announce and celebrate the awarding of $200 million in federal funding to improve broadband access across the state.
“This means real change in people’s lives. A student in northern Adams County will no longer have to sit in a cold car to access a hotspot,” said AEA President Robin Fitzpatrick.
“Today is a historic day, said Adam County Commissioner and event moderator Marty Qually.
Noting the funds were part of the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPAA), Sen. Casey said broadband access was as beneficial today as electricity was in the early 20th century. “If we’re going to continue to be the most powerful nation in the world we have to be sure everyone is connected. We need to be sure every child, every business, every farm, has access to high-speed internet,” he said.
“$200 million is a really big start, but we’ve got a lot more to do,“ said Casey.
Announcing the awarding of the funds, US Treasury Chief Recovery Officer Jacob Leibenluft said the funds would help develop regional projects and line extensions (last-mile projects) across the state.
Liebenluft said the upgrades were a down payment. “We’re particularly excited for what we’ll see in years to come,” he said.
Qually said he had been working on improving broadband in the county since 2013 when he discovered that visitors to an important event did not have access to broadband. “Pennsylvania is taking a big step forward. We are coordinating with local, state, and federal governments,” he said.
Speaking after the meeting, Qually said “Adams County is an example of a rural county taking a lead role in broadband planning. Being asked to host this federal announcement means we are on the state’s radar, and that isn’t a bad thing.”
Gene Sperling, White House Coordinator of the ARPAA and former director of the National Economic Council and Assistant to the President for Economic Policy under Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, said he was leading a fight for universal, quality, broadband.
“It isn’t enough until you have affordable broadband in every house and business; including rural areas,” he said.
Sperling said the pandemic was a national teaching moment. “If a household didn’t have enough broadband for 4 or 5 people you were cut off. You could not reach your economic or educational potential,” he said. “This is a major step forward. There will be more resources coming down. It would not have happened without the leadership of Sen. Casey.”
Brandon Carson, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority, said the Commonwealth was working to make broadband access a reality for all, and that Gov. Shapiro was making broadband a top priority.
Isaac Bucher, owner of Mr. Ed’s Elephant Museum and Candy Emporium and Chair of the county’s broadband task force, noted the big gaps in internet service in the county. “If you travel one mile from my store there is no place that has adequate internet access,” he said.
“High-speed broadband should not be a limiting factor. Adams County can’t work without access to broadband. It is my hope that access can become a reality for everyone,” said Bucker.
Other attendees included State Representative Torren Ecker, Biglerville Mayor Ron Harris, Gettysburg Mayor Rita Frealing, as well as commissioners Randy Phiel, Jim Martin, and other county officers.
Featured Image Caption: Event speakers (L to R.) Fitzpatrick, Leibenluft, Qually, Casey, Carson, Bucher, Sperling.
Charles (Chuck) Stangor is Gettysburg Connection's Owner, Publisher, and Editor in Chief. I would like to hear from you. Please contact me at cstangor@gettysburgconnection.org.
I work as a graphic desiner, when we were looking to buy this house the first item on our list was gig speed internet. It was difficult sometimes to tell if a house had gig speed. A map of the high speed lines would be helpful.