Shapiro announces $448 million in BEAD awards for Pennsylvania broadband
Governor Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority unveiled more than $448 million in BEAD grants for broadband projects in 50 counties, the first awards round after April's $711 million federal approval.
Governor Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority Executive Director Brandon Carson announced more than $448 million in federal BEAD grants for broadband projects across 50 counties, unveiling the first awards round at Bald Eagle High School in Centre County on 2 October.
The awards follow April’s federal approval of more than $711 million in Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment funding for Pennsylvania. Officials said the remaining money will be awarded before the end of the year, with the state aiming for universal high-speed internet access by 2030.
Among the awards, Verizon Pennsylvania/North received $28.85 million to extend fibre to about 3,000 homes and businesses in Centre and Mifflin counties, with Verizon investing a further $40 million alongside the grant.
The administration said the number of unconnected households in Pennsylvania has fallen by nearly 60% since 2022, from more than 330,000 to fewer than 133,000. A new online tracker at pa.gov/ConnectPA will show where the funding is going.
Pennsylvania was originally allocated $1.16 billion in BEAD funding under the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
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