Access to high-speed internet has for years been a priority for many of the state’s rural counties, including Butler, where outdated infrastructure affects everyone, from farmers to students to small business owners.

While broadband is increasingly seen as a basic necessity, the underlying infrastructure is almost entirely owned by private companies with little financial incentive to deliver higher speeds to rural areas with few customers.

They contend it is not cost-effective to string wires that would provide internet access in sparsely populated areas.

Last week, it was announced the state has received $6.6 million in federal funds to close the digital divide and make broadband accessible for all residents of the state. These are the first funds to be awarded of the more than $100 million to be managed by the Pennsylvania Broadband Authority.

The $6.6 million award includes funding from two programs: $5 million from the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Program to expand high-speed internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment and adoption programs, and $1.6 million from the Digital Equity Act to ensure that all people and communities have the skills, technology and capacity needed to reap the benefits of a digital economy.

“Pennsylvania’s lack of affordable, accessible broadband is one of the biggest challenges holding our economy back,” Wolf said last week. “This $6.6 million is the beginning of a generational change waiting for Pennsylvanians.”

Some rural areas of Butler County have no internet service, while others’ connection speed is so slow it renders their devices useless. At least 500,000 Pennsylvanians are without broadband, and this lack of access slows economic growth and limits opportunity. It keeps children from learning effectively and businesses from growing. It also limits job opportunities and reduces medical care options.

A lack of reliable broadband was exacerbated over the past two years as Pennsylvanians relied on virtual means of communication, work and learning.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, students in Butler County school districts, such as Moniteau and Karns City, often flooded their schools’ libraries to print out papers because they could not do so at home.

Our modern world relies heavily on internet use. People who do not have easy access are at a disadvantage. Earmarking money to allow and improve internet access in Butler County and the state will help level the playing field for our residents, students and businesses.

—JGG