June 2023

Welcome to the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) newsletter!

Pennsylvania is working to make sure our residents, businesses, and communities have equitable access to affordable broadband service, which is essential for economic growth and innovation, education, emergency services, health care, and fostering community development. The PBDA was established in December 2021 as an independent agency of the PA Department of Community and Economic Development. Our PBDA Leadership Team is dedicated to bridging the digital divide that currently exists in the Commonwealth.

You’re receiving this newsletter because you’ve asked to be updated on the PBDA’s efforts, initiatives, and implementation actions. If you need to update your email address or have any other questions on PBDA and its mission, please email us at pabroadbandauthority@pa.gov.

The PBDA must complete a Statewide Digital Equity Plan by February 2024, a requirement under the Digital Equity Act governed by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). Pennsylvania’s Statewide Digital Equity Plan will establish the Commonwealth’s vision for digital equity, including the development of an inventory of existing programs and efforts across Pennsylvania, a needs assessment of our communities, robust engagement of stakeholders to include collaboration efforts, and an implementation plan.

PBDA has been working aggressively to meet the mission of closing the digital divide in Pennsylvania. 

At the August 10, 2023, PBDA Board meeting, Board members reviewed and approved the PBDA’s 5-Year Action Plan, as is required under the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program.

The PBDA has completed the public comment portion of its Volume I of the BEAD Proposal, as required through NTIA’s BEAD Notice of Funding Opportunity and supplemental guidance. At the October 19, 2023, PBDA Board meeting, Board members reviewed and approved Volume I of the BEAD Initial Proposal.

The PBDA draft of its Volume II of the BEAD Proposal, which refines and defines the key elements needed to enable successful implementation of BEAD funding, is currently available for public review. Stakeholders are encouraged to provide online comments now through November 14, 2023.

Volume II focuses on a number of key elements:

After comments are received and considered, and following Board approval, the PBDA will submit the Initial Proposal for consideration to the NTIA by December 27, 2023. NTIA feedback/approval is anticipated in early 2024

Internet For All: Connecting the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

•  Community Conversations and Roundtables: The PBDA began a robust stakeholder engagement plan in June. This plan encompassed 25 community conversations and 6 roundtable discussions from across the state.

•  Local Coordination Event: In partnership with the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP), Pennsylvania Municipal League (PML), Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS), Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs (PSABs), and NTIA, the PBDA hosted a local coordination event in State College on July 13, 2023.

•  Educational Webinars: The PBDA will continue to provide educational webinars on topics specific to broadband infrastructure expansion and digital equity. Visit the PBDA website for webinar recordings and presentations. 

All PBDA Board meetings and Sub-Committee meetings are open to the public and always allow for public comment.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has designed the National Broadband Map which was used to identify funding allocations under the NTIA BEAD Program. The FCC has requested challenges to any inaccurate information that is currently displayed, and Pennsylvanians are encouraged to review and submit challenges where applicable. 

To date, the PBDA has submitted more than 50,000 challenges and nearly 32,000 were upheld – ensuring those locations are eligible for federal
BEAD funding.

The PBDA’s application period for the Capital Projects Fund (CPF), Broadband Infrastructure Program (BIP) closed on August 9, 2023. This $200 million competitive grant program is designed to target locations that do not currently have access to 25/3 Mbps reliable service. The program will fund extensions of existing last-mile cable modem and fiber-to-the-premise broadband networks, as well as large-scale regional projects that can transform broadband availability by serving large numbers of eligible addresses. We expect to announce grant awards in 2024.

A public map is available for the BIP program that identifies unserved, underserved, and community anchor institutions across the Commonwealth as well as generalized proposed project areas.

Multi-Purpose Community Facilities Program

In the coming months, the PBDA will release program guidelines and open an application period for a $45 million Multi-Purpose Community Facilities Program an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) competitive grant program. This program will provide competitive grant funding to community anchor institutions and units of local government for projects to construct, acquire, or improve buildings that will directly enable work, education, and health monitoring.

Previously, the PBDA requested feedback to assist in the development of program guidelines. Responses are currently being aggregated and will be made available on the PBDA website.

If you have questions about closing the digital divide in Pennsylvania, email the
PA Broadband Development Authority or connect with us by phone
at 1.866.466.3972.

Department of Community & Economic Development | dced.pa.gov