The Washington County Board of Commissioners announced a $27.8 million investment to bring broadband internet access to 2,600 unserved locations following a partnership with Comcast Corp.
It's the largest broadband-based investment the county has made to date and it'll tap into $18.8 million in funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), signed into law by President Joe Biden in March 2021, to help see that work through. Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA) will fund the remainder of the expense for this project, which is set to affect homes and businesses in Donegal Township, East Finley Township and areas near 10 Mile Creek.
The latest round of investment brings the total cost of Washington County's broadband-related funding to $60.5 million, $30 million of which has been allocated by the board of commissioners via that county's ARPA-designated broadband funds.
"With this project we are continuing to invest in communities across the commonwealth – and our region – enabling economic growth and improving quality of life for local businesses and families," Ray Roundtree, senior vice president of Comcast’s Keystone Region, said in a prepared statement. "This is an important milestone and one which we know has been made possible through our strong partnership with the commission and Washington County Authority."
Over the past 18 months, the county's broadband program has picked five internet service providers and their proposals to bring broadband internet service to agriculture facilities, manufacturing sites, rural schools, small businesses and homes.
Last June, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania received over $1 billion in new federal funding to be used for the continued expansion of high-speed internet access throughout the state.
