Funding will provide laptops and wi-fi devices for roughly 12,000 Pennsylvanians annually
Since 2021, Pennsylvania has received more than $2 billion to expand access to reliable high-speed internet
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) announced $20 million from the Capitol Projects Fund, established under the American Rescue Plan, to expand high-speed internet access by providing laptops, tablets, desktop computers, and wi-fi devices for roughly 12,000 Pennsylvanians each year.
“As our world becomes more digital, closing the digital divide in our communities is more important than ever. Pennsylvania’s economic future depends on reliable high-speed internet access for every community—rural, urban, and everything in between,” said Senator Casey. “This funding won’t just provide more laptops and wi-fi devices to people who need them, it will help break down the barrier that’s keeping a young mother from a higher education, a small business from reaching a new market, and a grandparent from staying in touch with their grandkids.”
Senator Casey has consistently fought to close the digital divide and make sure that every single Pennsylvanian has high-speed internet access in their home. Casey has delivered $2,036,121,823 to Pennsylvania for high-speed internet in the last two years. That includes $1.16 billion from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to bring high-speed internet to high-cost, unserved and underserved communities, as well $20 million specifically for the Southern Alleghenies region. In addition to the funding announced today, Casey has also secured $200 million from the Capitol Projects Fund to expand high-speed internet access for more than 44,000 homes and business throughout Pennsylvania, particularly in rural communities.
The American Rescue Plan provided $279 million to Pennsylvania for critical projects to provide high-quality modern infrastructure, including reliable, affordable broadband infrastructure. Together with the funding in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, these programs are helping to deploy high-speed internet to those without access, lower costs for those who cannot afford it, and ensure that businesses stay competitive in a changing economy.
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