Governor Shapiro Surprises Pennsylvania With Good News

Governor Josh Shapiro recently announced a plan to expand internet access across Pennsylvania...

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Josh Shapiro recently announced good news for everyone in Pennsylvania. According to a press release by the Governor's office, Pennsylvania will receive over $1.1 billion in federal funding to expand broadband availability - so every Pennsylvanian will have access to affordable, high-speed internet.

“When Pennsylvanians are connected to reliable broadband, they have better health outcomes, better education outcomes, and better economic outcomes,” said Governor Josh Shapiro. “That’s why we need to invest in broadband, right now, to grow our economy and strengthen our communities. Accessible, reliable, affordable broadband is important for every community and every family across this Commonwealth – no matter your zip code. My administration will continue to work with all our partners at the local, state, and federal levels to ensure that we can deliver real opportunity for every student, business, worker, and community in Pennsylvania.”

“This is truly about supporting the people of Pennsylvania and ensuring they have the resources to live prosperous and healthy lives. Everyone should have access to affordable, high-speed internet – and the PBDA is committed to making that a reality,” said Brandon Carson, Executive Director of the PBDA, an independent, bipartisan agency that's creating a plan to put broadband in every community across Pennsylvania. “Our team has worked hard to make sure Pennsylvania received this historic level of federal funding, and thanks to this support from the Biden Administration and under the leadership of Governor Shapiro, we look forward to connecting communities across the Commonwealth.”

"We stand marking a once in a lifetime moment, a moment when our generation can stand up and bring opportunity, equity and access to all, a moment we can bridge the gap and expand infrastructure to every corner of this country,” said Barbara Cottam, Senior Advisor for External Affairs at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. “We all know today the internet is not a luxury – it’s a necessity. Governor Shapiro understands this and has made providing affordable, reliable high-speed internet a priority of his administration. Importantly, he understands the jobs coming with the internet build out and has already begun providing funding for registered apprenticeship programs to train the workforce. Pennsylvania is thinking ahead.”

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