The Commonwealth Financing Authority has approved over $270,000 in grants for three projects that are expected to improve broadband internet access for areas of Indiana and Armstrong Counties.
In a joint news release from State Representatives Jim Struzzi, Brian Smith and Donna Oberlander and Senator Joe Pittman, it was announced that Windstream Services, LLC received all three Universal High-Speed Broadband Funding Grants. The largest grant is worth $204,134, which will be used to install 21 miles of fiber optic cable to bring broadband internet to 189 homes and three businesses in the Smicksburg Borough/West Mahoning Township area. Another $32,885 grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority will go towards a project in Plumcreek Township in Armstrong County to install about 6.7 miles of cable to serve 90 homes and two businesses. A third grant, worth $36,840 will install 7.2 miles of cable in Armstrong and Washington Townships in Indiana County to serve 89 homes and 3 businesses.
Senator Joe Pittman has been a supporter for the expansion of broadband to un-served and underserved communities. In the news release, he said that getting the fiber optic cable to those areas will definitely address the “digital divide” affecting these areas, and help bring educational, economic and social development opportunities to the areas.
Comments