The PBDA will begin accepting the first round of applications today – making Pennsylvania among one of the first states to do so.

Governor Josh Shapiro and his Administration are committed to connecting all Pennsylvanians to reliable, affordable, high-speed internet by the end of the decade.

Harrisburg, PA – On Nov 22nd, Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) Executive Director Brandon Carson announced the Commonwealth’s $1.16 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program will accept the first round of applications from November 22, 2024, through January 21, 2025. BEAD is a federal grant program that provides states with funding to deploy broadband infrastructure and connect residents to the internet.

In June 2023, Governor Josh Shapiro and PBDA Executive Director Carson announced the Commonwealth’s historic BEAD program funding to expand broadband in unserved and underserved areas to make sure high-speed internet is available to every Pennsylvanian by the end of the decade. Since then, Pennsylvania has moved quickly and pushed the federal government to drive out this funding as soon as possible. This week, Pennsylvania will become just the 10^th state in the nation to begin accepting applications for this funding.

“My Administration is moving quickly to solicit applications and drive out this historic funding so we can extend access to high-speed, affordable internet all across our Commonwealth by the end of this decade,” said Governor Shapiro. “Ensuring every Pennsylvanian can connect to the internet is critical for students who want to learn, patients in rural communities who want to see their doctor, and small business owners who want to find new customers and succeed in Pennsylvania. We’re committed to closing the digital divide in the Commonwealth, and this is another significant step forward in creating real opportunity for all Pennsylvanians.”

Per federal guidelines, the BEAD program will consist of two, 60-day application periods for eligible entities to apply for funds to construct high-speed internet networks to areas that lack service.

“We’ve worked closely with local government leaders, state and federal officials, industry representatives, and other stakeholders to design this program and we’re excited to launch it,” said PBDA Executive Director Carson. “For far too long communities lacking internet access have had to make difficult decisions about how to educate their children, where they’re able to work, or how to get their medical care. We have the funding needed and are ready to invest in a variety of technologies and networks of all sizes to provide high-speed internet to all corners of the Commonwealth.”

Dates for the second application period in 2025 will be announced. Following both application periods, the PBDA will evaluate the applications and provide a final proposal outlining each of the selected recipients and projects. This final proposal will be open for public comment for 30 days prior to its submission to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). PBDA will announce the final awards later next year after they are accepted by the NTIA.

“Congratulations to Executive Director Carson and the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority for reaching this important milestone,” said Evan Feinman, Director of NTIA’s BEAD Program. “The people of Pennsylvania deserve access to affordable, reliable, high-speed Internet service. Starting the selection of the providers that will build those networks brings the Commonwealth one step closer to making it a reality.”

Eligible BEAD applicants include cooperative organizations; not-for-profit organizations; public-private partnerships; private companies; public or private utility companies; public utility districts; municipalities or units of local government; and internet service providers registered through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Funds can be used for physical improvements; long-term leases; multi-family residential deployment; planning, design, and engineering; personnel costs; network software upgrades; and workforce development. There is no minimum or maximum grant amount for any project — projects require a minimum 25 percent share of the total project cost in matching funds.

The BEAD program, established in accordance with the NTIA’s Notice of Funding Opportunity and Act 96 of 2021, utilizes funds allocated to Pennsylvania through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021.

In addition to $1.16 billion in BEAD funding, the PBDA recently approved $45 million in Multi-Purpose Community Facilities grant funding to 49 projects in 26 counties across Pennsylvania. The grants will support key projects in local communities and help connect Pennsylvanians to the internet in public places like schools, local libraries, and community health centers.

The Commonwealth has also received $204.1 million through the federal Broadband Infrastructure Program (BIP) for projects to bring high-speed internet to over 100,000 Pennsylvanians in 42 counties across the Commonwealth that currently have no service or struggle with poor service and $20 million to provide technology devices such as laptops for distribution to schools, libraries, municipalities, workforce training organizations, and other non-profits who can make them available to individuals that lack the technology needed to access the internet.

Resources for applying to the BEAD program, including webinars and FAQs, can be found on the PBDA’s BEAD Program Page.

Visit the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority’s website to learn more about its work to close the digital divide in the Commonwealth.