County commits $1 million to possible broadband expansion
Butler County Commissioners agreed Wednesday to contribute up to $1 million to expand broadband service if the federal government provides grant funding for the project.
The commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding with Armstrong Telecommunications to provide the money after the project is completed if the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority awards a grant from the federal Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment, or BEAD, program.
Armstrong is currently working under a $12.4 million BEAD-funded contract with the authority to provide high speed internet access to residents of the Moniteau and Slippery Rock Area school districts.
“This BEAD initiative, from the federal level, was to come back around and say OK are there any remaining gaps,” said Mark Gordon, county economic development and planning chief. “After Moniteau and Slippery Rock are dressed up, there were still some gaps throughout the county.”
Those gaps include 13 areas, known as Broadband Serviceable Locations, that lack internet access. Only a few unserviceable locations, such as remote cabins that do not have internet access, now would be excluded from the project, said assistant planning director Nathan Werner.
Leslie Osche, commissioners chairwoman, said the $1 million would come from the county’s American Rescue Plan Act funds and would be paid only if BEAD funding is approved and after Armstrong completes the expansion.
She said funding applications receive higher scores if they include collaboration and the county’s application includes a partnership with Armstrong.
