The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority Executive Director Brandon Carson announced this week that public input will be gathered from community members including residents, businesses, and organizations on the draft five-year action plan to expand internet access across the commonwealth using $1.16 billion in funding through the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) plan.

The online survey is available through Aug. 8.

Feedback submitted by community members will help focus and finalize the development of Pennsylvania’s BEAD plan. Extending and expanding access to broadband across Pennsylvania and making connection more reliable and affordable is a top priority of Gov. Josh Shapiro and his administration.

“The Broadband Development Authority is looking for feedback on the draft plan that will be used to expand access to affordable, high-speed internet across the commonwealth,” Carson said. “Pennsylvania’s broadband initiative is called ‘internet for All’ for good reason.”

As part of President Joe Biden’s “internet for All” initiative, Shapiro announced the commonwealth will receive $1.16 billion through the BEAD Program to expand broadband infrastructure for communities lacking reliable, affordable, high-speed internet access.

The BEAD funding to the commonwealth will be administered by the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority - an independent, bipartisan agency created by law in December 2021. The five-year action plan for Pennsylvania’s BEAD allocation will set the vision for the implementation of these funds.

Following federal approval of the plan, Pennsylvania is expected to receive the BEAD funding in 2024 and will then begin awarding sub grants to approved applicants.

Visit the PBDA’s website to learn more about its work to close the digital divide in the commonwealth.