Washington Township to seek funding for broadband issues

By JEFF STITT
jstitt@yourmvi.com

Myriad issues and inequities have been laid bare across the United States amid the coronavirus pandemic.
And one of the problems being highlighted is a lack of connectivity to high-speed internet in economically struggling communities and in rural areas — including some parts of the Mid-Mon Valley.
At Wednesday’s Washington Township Board of Supervisors meeting, Supervisor Jan Amoroso said she wants the municipality to be at the front of the line to apply for federal broadband funding if it becomes available. Amoroso said she is also trying to find out how federal COVID-19 relief dollars can be used to address broadband issues.
The American Rescue Plan provides $10 billion for states, territories and Tribes to cover the costs of capital projects like broadband infrastructure.
President Joe Biden’s administration is also calling for another $100 billion to be used to blanket the U.S. with broadband as part of the administration’s proposed $2.3 trillion infrastructure plan, which was announced in Pittsburgh in March.
Amoroso and Supervisor Chuck Yusko shared a recent letter from Atlantic Broadband discussing possible broadband connectivity monies. Amoroso said she decided to take on the task of reaching out to Atlantic Broadband to stay ahead of the ball on applying for federal grants to address broadband infrastructure improvements.
“We definitely have areas where they need broadband. We’ve been talking about this for a while,” Amoroso said after saying that it was important that someone from the township stay on top of the issue.

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