The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved a plan to target broadband internet expansion efforts to unserved and underserved areas throughout the county as part of an initiative that's expected to cost about $50 million.
It's an initiative that comes as part of a regional trend of broadband infrastructure improvement projects following an infusion of federal dollars made available for such endeavors after the passage of the national American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) last year. At the beginning of October, Beaver County outlined its plans to invest about $20 million for broadband internet expansion. That followed the September announcement from the City of Pittsburgh, which is hoping to eradicate the digital divide gap found throughout its borders in the next five years. Similarly, Westmoreland County announced plans in July to conduct a survey of residents and businesses to identify where broadband gaps remain.
In February, Gov. Tom Wolf established the Broadband Development Authority to manage $100 million in federal aid for the commonwealthwide rollout of high-speed internet.
The broadband expansion plan for Washington County is one of the most significant infrastructure projects it has ever undertaken.
"From the inception of this project, our goal has been to identify as many unserved areas as possible and put together a comprehensive plan to execute," commissioner Larry Maggi said in a prepared statement. "In the process, we have estimated 700 miles of fiber to be built and over 5,000 homes, businesses and schools to be connected. This will be the largest endeavor the county has ever taken on, and we are excited to be a part of it."
Over the next several months, county commissioners and the Washington County Authority will work with vendors to identify proposals and the costs to implement them.
The county has already received $30 million from the ARPA for this work, and it's seeking additional funding from the state's Broadband Authority.
"There is a depth and breadth of this program that needs to be appreciated," Diana Irey Vaughan, commissioner chair, said in a prepared statement. "It is remarkable, before this is over, we will be in construction in all areas of the county, simultaneously. We have challenged our fiber consultants and project managers every step of the way, and I am now confident that we will have the best result due to our challenges, transparency and holding teams accountable."
The Washington County Authority teamed up with Portland, Maine-based Tilson Technology Management for the identification and mapping of the 10 zones where broadband expansion efforts will be focused.
