WASHINGTON, DC-U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Arlen Specter (D-PA) today announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce has awarded $5,110,628 in federal funds to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to research barriers to the use of broadband by manufacturers and to examine the impact of broadband use on the competiveness of this sector. The funding is available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
“The federal funding that has been awarded to research the use of broadband in the manufacturing sector in Pennsylvania is yet another way the Recovery Act is positively impacting the Commonwealth,” said Senator Casey. “This project will help determine how manufacturers can best utilize broadband technologies to increase their competitiveness.”
“Access to the internet is critical in today’s world and these investments will help bridge the digital divide so that all Pennsylvanians can be connected to a solid communications infrastructure,” Senator Specter said. “This funding is great news for The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development as it will spur investments in technology, provide long-term economic growth to the region and increase the state’s ability to compete in the digital economy.”
The funding for Pennsylvania is part of $190 million announced today by the Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration. The funding will support state efforts to compete in the digital economy in 50 states, five territories and the District of Columbia. These are the final awards in the State Broadband Data and Development grant program.
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