Armstrong opened a new office and warehouse facility in Connellsville which will service portions of Fayette, Westmoreland, Washington, and Somerset Counties. The internet and cable company held a grand opening ceremony on Thursday, March 14 to commemorate the facility.
“The expansion shows our commitment to invest in and be part of our community, and to delivering the best services to our customers,” John Thoma, Armstrong general manager, said.
The facility replaces Armstrong’s first office, which opened in Connellsville in 1966. This office experienced the highest customer traffic of the company’s 13 offices across six different states, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, Kentucky, and New York.
Broadband internet access has been a growing concern from governments for some time. In 2021, then Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf signed legislation into law creating the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority. This authority was created after the federal government began providing states with money to fund broadband projects.
Currently, 87 percent of American households have access to broadband internet. Of the counties serviced, Washington and Westmoreland come close to this number, with 86 percent and 85 percent, respectively. However, Fayette and Somerset trail, with 80 percent and 77 percent, respectively. Armstrong is “always looking for opportunities to grow and provide access to unserved and underserved addresses,” according to Armstrong vice president of Marketing and Sales Ken Ashley.
The 6,000 square foot facility contains a 3,600 square foot industrial warehouse for the storing and maintaining of equipment. The space employs 35 people, including technicians, warehouse specialists, customer care specialists, marketers, as well as a variety of system leaders.
The front facing office is home to a “Care Center” where customers are able to visit Monday through Friday to pay bills and pickup and drop off equipment. Additionally, the company utilizes this space to organize food drives and have small scale community events.
The grand opening ceremony was attended by Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis, Brandon Carson, the executive director of the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority, as well as Kyle Kopko, the executive director of the Center for Rural Pennsylvania.
