Mar. 22, 2022
HARRISBURG – Comcast Cable Communications, LLC today was awarded state funds in the amount of more than $1.7 million to assist with broadband expansion projects in Reilly and Cass townships, announced Rep. Tim Twardzik (R-Schuylkill) and Sen. David Argall (R-Berks/Schuylkill).
The funding was made available through the Unserved High-Speed Broadband Funding Program (UHSB), which was created by the Legislature and is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.
“It is crucial we provide high-speed internet service to residents as more people work and learn remotely,” said Twardzik. “This funding will begin the construction of wired infrastructure to necessarily serve the unserved areas of these townships and improve the customer experience.”
“High-speed internet is no longer a luxury – it’s a necessity,” said Argall. “This new funding will support a better education for our children and make local businesses even more competitive. I’m thankful that Cass Township and Reilly Township received this highly competitive funding.”
Comcast plans to expand its high-speed broadband network to include 244 potential service connections in Reilly Township and 802 in Cass Township. This will be accomplished by installing miles of hybrid fiber-coaxial cable to serve residential and institutional properties.
The UHSB program provides grants to bring middle-mile and last-mile high-speed broadband service to unserved areas in Pennsylvania. Funds may be used for acquisition, construction, equipment and site preparation costs associated with the deployment of broadband infrastructure.
The grant was approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority, which was established as an independent agency that holds fiduciary responsibility over the funding of programs and investments in Pennsylvania’s economic growth.