Laurel Highlands Today

HARRISBURG – Rep. Carl Walker Metzgar (R-Somerset) and Sen. Pat Stefano (R- Bedford/Fayette/Somerset/Westmoreland) announced that Somerset County fiber infrastructure received a $13.3 million boost in federal funding from the Pennsylvania Broadband Infrastructure Program (BIP). The funding would be used to increase broadband throughout the county by constructing fiber optic networks.

"Every home and business in the Commonwealth must have access to high-quality broadband for day-to-day productivity and leisure. I am pleased to see the importance of these projects recognized and funded," said Metzgar.

"We are grateful to see this tremendous investment dedicated to unserved and underserved communities following extensive collaboration with Rep. Metzgar and the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority," said Somerset County Commissioners Brian Fochtman and Irvin Kimmel, Jr. "We have an obligation to better the lives of residents, and this news helps us achieve that goal. We would like to thank Rep. Metzgar for advocating with us for this crucial funding, and we look forward to continuing the work of the people."

"Improving broadband infrastructure and ensuring equal, consistent access to every home, farm, business, or church is no simple feat but it is essential to the quality of life and continued economic growth throughout the 32nd District and across Pennsylvania," said Stefano.

The program targets locations that do not currently have access to 25/3 Mbps reliable service. The competitive grant program funds extensions of existing last-mile cable modem and fiber-to-the-premise broadband networks, and large-scale regional projects that can transform broadband availability by serving large numbers of eligible addresses.

CONTACT: Amanda Cuteri, (Sen. Stefano’s office), 717-787-7175 Nate Temple, (Rep. Walker Metzgar’s office), 717-260-6396