Laurel Highlands Today

Ongoing efforts to improve broadband and cellphone coverage for rural areas across the Commonwealth were the focus of a House Republican Policy Committee hearing Tuesday in Fayette County. The hearing was hosted by Reps. Ryan Warner (R-Fayette) and Charity Grimm Krupa (R-Fayette), along with committee Chairman Joshua D. Kail (R-Beaver/Washington).

“Pennsylvania has many unserved and underserved areas when it comes to broadband service, and Fayette County is no exception,” Warner said. “We need to work together at the local, state, and federal levels to ensure residents and businesses here have access to the services they need, and today’s testimony shows Fayette County’s commitment to improving our situation.”

“Broadband services and cellphone coverage are necessities, not luxuries, and that was reinforced by the testifiers we heard from today,” Grimm Krupa said. “A lack of cell service is a public health and safety issue first and foremost, but the lack of cell service and broadband coverage also puts people at a disadvantage when it comes to remote work or school, telemedicine visits, conducting business, and more.”

The committee heard about public safety challenges from Gregg Downer, Luzerne Township supervisor; and Richard Black, GIS/systems manager of the Fayette County Emergency Management Agency, who also serves as a paramedic with Brownsville Ambulance Service and fire chief at Brownsville Fire Company No. 1.

To illustrate the problem, Downer testified: “We had an elderly lady that couldn’t contact her family when she needed assistance. They even bought a monitoring system but that wouldn’t work because she needed the internet.”

Members also heard from Brandon Carson, executive director of the PA Broadband Development Authority (PBDA), and Andrew French, executive director of the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Fayette. Both testified about efforts at both state and local levels to bring broadband service to areas that need it most.

“Fayette County clearly recognizes the importance of developing solutions related to rural connectivity and access to broadband,” French testified. “Working in partnership with the Commonwealth, county, townships, boroughs, and local private sector providers such as Vitalink, the Redevelopment Authority is confident that broadband connectivity to all residents throughout Fayette County is achievable.”

Carson took several questions from lawmakers about PBDA’s work to identify projects for funding as well as addressing other obstacles such as workforce shortages and preparing for permitting delays. Members emphasized that the Commonwealth should not be standing in the way of progress by dragging its feet on permits.

“We identified and outlined these potential obstacles not because they are insurmountable but as a roadmap for action. We do this work in close collaboration with local and federal partners along with industry labor and other key stakeholders across Pennsylvania,” Carson explained.

Rep. Carl Walker Metzgar (R-Somerset), who serves as the House Republican appointee to PBDA added: “In order to meet today’s needs high-speed broadband must be accessible for residents living in rural Pennsylvania. Expansion is modern-day equivalent of rural electrification this hearing provided further insight on work we need deploy equitable broadband across Pennsylvania.”

The hearing closed with testimony from Jeremy Crandall assistant vice president for state legislative affairs at CTIA which represents wireless communications industry highlighted significant increase demand wireless services economic growth including more than 102000 wireless-related jobs $16.2 billion impact can result investments growing wireless infrastructure Commonwealth

“Rural communities throughout Pennsylvania lack efficient broadband cellphone service,” said Kail With significant advances technological world we getting one step closer overcoming obstacle opportunity create level playing field access high-quality capabilities That why we must continue brainstorming innovative ideas how residents get most bang buck Thank you Reps Warner Grimm Krupa along testifiers holding important forum This hearing equipped us more knowledge how continue progress issues Video hearing copies testimony will available Representative Ryan Warner 52nd Legislative District Representative Charity Grimm Krupa 51st Legislative District Pennsylvania House Representatives Warner Contact Patricia Hippler 717-772-9846 phippler@pahousegop.com Grimm Krupa Contact 724-438-6100