‘Infrastructure of the future’: Broadband gets boost in Beaver, Fayette counties

In Beaver and Fayette Counties, Pennsylvania, the "Connect Beaver County Broadband Program" by the Butler, Pennsylvania-based Armstrong company, and Arkansas-based Windstream, was chosen to provide internet services to several locations throughout the two counties. The projects are a part of the counties' larger efforts to bring new broadband and improved services to parts of 24 municipalities within the county by utilizing nearly $20 million in American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funding. The counties aim to expand broadband service where service is poor or unavailable. Surveys are currently being conducted by the companies and will be completed by the end of 2022. The surveys will be submitted to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) for need-based grant funding to continue expanding broadband service offerings. Ultimately, Beaver and Fayette Counties' goals are to leverage NTIA funding, as well as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Coronavirus Capital Projects Funds, to provide universal broadband access and connect their residents to the 21st century economy.