Pennsylvania Governor Rendell Announces Statewide Public Meetings on Federal Broadband Stimulus Funds

Administration Seeking Input on How Best to Deploy High-Speed Internet

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — A series of public meetings will be held this month to discuss plans and collect public comments on how the commonwealth can best use funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to deploy broadband service throughout the state, Governor Edward G. Rendell said today.

“Pennsylvania is already home to one of the nation’s most aggressive broadband deployment systems,” Governor Rendell said. “With the help of federal broadband stimulus funds we will be able to accelerate that work. We want to ensure that the smallest towns and villages in Pennsylvania have access to high-speed Internet, which is critical for our businesses to compete in global markets and for our students to compete for the very best jobs.

“Broadband service opens a highway to a world of exploration, education and business opportunities. High-speed data transmission is no longer a convenience; it is a necessity.”

The statewide outreach sessions are designed to share information with local leaders, businesses, citizens and economic development organizations about the available opportunities with federal broadband stimulus money. Additionally, the meetings will discuss unserved/underserved areas, broadband to public safety agencies, eligible applicants and the needs of communities and businesses.

The Office of Administration and the Department of Community and Economic Development are hosting the meetings. The stimulus funds will be distributed through two federal agencies: the Department of Commerce National Telecommunication and Information Administration and the Department of Agriculture Rural Utilities services.

Governor Rendell has committed to ensuring that the public is able to monitor and provide feedback on how federal recovery dollars are being used by providing news, up-to-date information and regular reports on www.recovery.pa.gov.

The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell’s initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit www.governor.state.pa.us.

EDITORS NOTE: The sessions are scheduled at the dates, times and locations listed below. If you are interested in participating in the meetings, but are unable to attend at the given time, written comments can be sent to the addresses included below:

Potter County: Monday, May 11, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Education Council

227 N. Main St.

Coudersport

RSVP to Janine@pottercountyedcouncil.org or by phone at 814-274-4877

Five offsite locations will be available via a video conference. Visit www.pottercountyedcouncil.org or call 814-274-4877 for more information.

Comments can be sent to the following address no later than May 8:

Janine Morley

Potter County Education Center

227 N. Main St.

Coudersport, PA 16915

Central PA: Tuesday, May 26, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.

WITF Public Media Center

4801 Lindle Road

Harrisburg

RSVP to www.techquestpa.com or by phone at 717-635-2172

Comments can be sent to the following address no later than May 19:

Technology Council of Central PA

415 Market St., Suite 201

Harrisburg, PA 17101

Bedford: Wednesday, May 27, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Heartland Hall Conference Center

5564 Business 220

Bedford PA 15522

RSVP to mreigh@sapdc.org or by phone at 814-949-6740

Comments can be sent to the following address no later than May 20:

Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission

541 58th St.

Altoona, PA 16602

    CONTACT:
    Jamie Fulginiti (DCED)
    717-783-1132

    Barry Ciccocioppo
    717-783-1116

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor