On December 16, 2021, the General Assembly sent the unanimously passed HB 2071 that will help bring high-speed internet to students, businesses and residents across Pennsylvania.

According to Gov Wolf,  “[Passage of HB 2071] represents a generational change for many rural communities that lack internet access, and for communities that do not have reliable access. With this investment and planning, we will close the digital divide, improve the cost, and bring new opportunities to communities that broadband provides.”

The bill creates the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority which will be a one stop shop to oversee and support broadband deployment. The authority will manage at least $100 million in federal aid that Pennsylvania will receive to support a coordinated and strategic rollout of broadband to more areas with construction of new towers, lines and broadband equipment and other uses.

The historic investment in reliable high-speed internet is funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed by Congress with bipartisan support and signed by President Joe Biden. The federal government is providing $65 billion nationwide for broadband infrastructure deployment.

To view the press release, click here.

To view HB 2071, click here.