State Senator Joe Pittman and State Representatives Jim Struzzi and Brian Smith announced on Tuesday that Indiana County will receive $2 million in Community Development Block Grant-CARES Act funding that will be used to expand broadband capability in the county.
Like many rural counties in the state, access to the internet over a high-speed or broadband connection is not readily available in some parts of Indiana County. Most of the time, it’s because the rural location and small population make it unprofitable for Internet Service Providers to offer service. This has been a mission of the Indiana County Commissioners and the state legislators representing the county. This is part of $5 billion in federal funds that has been set aside for Covid-19 related expenses. At least 70 percent of each grant must be used for activities that benefit low- to middle-income persons by providing housing, a permanent job, a public service, or access to new of significantly-improved infrastructure. The rest can be used to eliminate slums or blight, or to address an urgent need.
Pittman said in the news release that the money will help expand broadband and high speed internet along with cellular service to underserved areas of the county, and additional funding plans are in the works. Struzzi said high-speed internet access can be used to help teach students, allow people to work from home, help emergency service providers, and assist the agriculture industry as well.
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