The Shapiro Administration - working swiftly to deliver on its commitment to connect every Pennsylvanian to high-speed, affordable internet - recently approved 49 Multi-Purpose Community Facilities Program grants, including a $2 million grant to the Cambria County Library, expanding internet access in public places like schools, local libraries, and community health centers. 

Governor Shapiro is committed to ensuring Pennsylvanians can access high-speed, affordable internet to further their education, advance career opportunities, and utilize telemedicine no matter where they live.

Johnstown, PA - On January 14, 2025, Governor Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) Executive Director Brandon Carson, and Representative Frank Burns visited the Cambria County Library in Johnstown to highlight the Shapiro Administration’s progress in providing more residents with affordable high-speed internet access at local community centers through the Multi-Purpose Community Facilities(opens in a new tab) Program. 

The PBDA recently approved(opens in a new tab) $45 million in Multi-Purpose Community Facilities Program grants for 49 projects in 27 counties across Pennsylvania to provide high-speed internet at public facilities such as schools, local libraries, and community health centers. The grants will be used for construction and infrastructure improvements to ensure Pennsylvanians have access to reliable, affordable, high-speed internet.

“In the 21st century, access to high-speed, affordable internet isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity – and places like the Cambria County Library System help thousands of Pennsylvanians get online and access opportunity,” said Governor Shapiro. “When people are connected to reliable, affordable internet, they have better health outcomes, better education outcomes, and better economic outcomes. My Administration is working to connect every Pennsylvanian to the internet, and we’ll continue moving quickly to get tens of millions of dollars out to our local communities in order to get this done.”   

The Cambria County Library received a $2 million grant through this initiative to create a new learning lab and WIFI-accessible spaces on the first floor.

 “Public places like our libraries, health centers, and non-profit organizations are part of the fabric of our communities, and this funding will help them better serve their residents,” said PBDA Executive Director Brandon Carson. “Access to high-speed internet is essential for everyone to succeed in today’s digital world, and investing in improvements to public facilities that provide access directly where it is needed most is an important step in ensuring the success of our Commonwealth.”

“Libraries today do more than just lend books. They’ve become community hubs that serve people of every age, income level, and ability.” said Representative Frank Burns. “The Cambria County Library became the first library in the state to house a full-service CareerLink. Now, it’s building upon that partnership to expand services even more by creating dedicated spaces for the community to access broadband. Residents will be able to access resources for school, job training programs and classes, build skills, and gain access to the tools people need in their everyday life.”

The grant will also enable the Cambria County Library to offer hands-on training and digital literacy programs to the public. In addition, the project will expand residents’ access to workforce development opportunities, health monitoring services, and provide students with essential internet access during remote school days, for tutoring programs, and to stay connected to their classrooms.

“With this monumental gift in funding, we will be able to advance our mission to connect our community with resources that educate, entertain, and empower,” said Ashley Flynn, Executive Director of Cambria County Library. “We have so much to look forward to, and we can’t wait to live in a future that is more connected and accessible for everyone.”

The Multi-Purpose Community Facilities Program was established by the PBDA utilizing a portion of the $279 million in Capital Projects Funds (CPF) awarded to Pennsylvania under the American Rescue Plan Act. 

“In the digital age, internet connection has become a necessity to access many essential services,” said Senator Wayne Langerholc, Jr. “This grant will help expand high-speed internet in our community, enabling the Cambria County Library to create a Community Hub that enhances access to information, education, healthcare, and more.”

A complete listing of Multi-Purpose Community Facilities Program grants(opens in a new tab) awarded to projects across the Commonwealth can be found online.

In addition to approving the Multi-Purpose Community Facilities grants, under the Shapiro Administration the PBDA has also announced:

• $1.16 billion in federal funding through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program(opens in a new tab) to expand broadband in unserved and underserved areas through the federal BEAD program. PBDA is accepting applications(opens in a new tab) for BEAD funding through January 21, 2025.

• $204 million in funding through the Capital Projects Funds Broadband Infrastructure Program(opens in a new tab) to connect unserved and undeserved areas. 

• $20 million through the Digital Connectivity Program(opens in a new tab) to provide laptops to schools, libraries, municipalities, workforce training organizations, and other non-profits that can make them available to individuals who lack the technology needed to access the internet. 

Visit the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority’s website(opens in a new tab) to learn more about its work to close the digital divide in the Commonwealth.