Edited from Submitted Materials
Claverack Communications, LLC and Comcast Cable Communications, LLC were awarded state funds on Tuesday to assist with broadband expansion projects in Bradford and Lycoming counties, according to state Sen. Gene Yaw (PA-23rd) and Rep. Tina Pickett (Bradford/Sullivan/Susquehanna).
The funding was made available through the Unserved High-Speed Broadband Funding Program, or UHSB, which was created by the Legislature last year after the General Assembly unanimously voted to create the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority. Both aim to increase the deployment of broadband across Pennsylvania.
“This funding demonstrates the state’s commitment to delivering equitable broadband service across the Commonwealth,” said Sen. Yaw (above), who also serves as board chairman for the Center for Rural Pennsylvania. “Research shows both rural and urban residents lack access to reliable broadband, despite being willing to pay for it. These grants will ensure our communities can have highspeed internet at a reasonable price and close the longstanding digital divide that has stifled educational opportunities and economic growth for far too long.”
“As we have learned during the pandemic, efficient broadband services have reached a critical point as more and more people work from home and students attend classrooms remotely,” said Pickett (above). “Unfortunately, there remain areas in my district where residents and businesses do not have access to high-speed internet service. I am so pleased this grant was approved, as it will allow Claverack Communications to move forward with its broadband expansion project in an unserved area of Bradford County.”
Claverack plans to expand its high-speed broadband network to include 267 potential service connections in areas of Asylum, Standing Stone and Wyalusing townships by installing 28 miles of fiberoptic cable. The total project cost is nearly $1.3 million.
“We are thrilled to learn of an award from DCED through the Commonwealth Funding Agency, said Steven Allabaugh, President & CEO of Claverack Rural Electric Cooperative Inc. “Claverack is committed to delivering unserved and underserved members in our rural community the same quality broadband services available in metropolitan areas. Programs like Unserved High-Speed Broadband Funding Program (UHSB) are exactly what is going help narrow the digital divide. We would like to thank Senator Yaw and Representative Pickett for their support of our broadband mission.”
The UHSB program provides grants to bring middle-mile and last-mile high-speed broadband service to unserved areas in Pennsylvania. Funds may be used for acquisition, construction, equipment and site preparation costs associated with the deployment of broadband infrastructure.
The grant was approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority, which was established as an independent agency that holds fiduciary responsibility over the funding of programs and investments in Pennsylvania’s economic growth.
The approved UHSB awards are as follows:
Bradford County:
$955,762 to Claverack Communications, LLC to construct wired infrastructure for unserved areas of Asylum, Standing Stone, and Wyalusing Townships.
Lycoming County:
$607,494 to Comcast Cable Communications, LLC to construct wired infrastructure for unserved areas in Armstrong, Bastress, and Limestone Townships.