The Capital Projects Fund (CPF) has approved a grant of $20 million to increase access to end-user devices in Pennsylvania. The funding will be made through Pennsylvania’s Digital Access Opportunity Grant program and benefit an estimated 12,000 people.
The laptops, tablets, desktop computers and Wi-Fi devices will be available made for use in homes or public spaces, including schools and libraries, through loan programs administered by community anchor institutions (CAI). The CAIs also will provide digital literacy training.
The Capital Projects Fund was created by American Rescue Plan Act and is funded by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
“By funding the Digital Access Opportunity Grant program, these American Rescue Plan resources will help close the digital divide in the commonwealth and connect thousands of Pennsylvanians to workforce, education, and health care services they need to live prosperous and healthy lives,” Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo said in a prepared statement.
The new investment builds on previous ARPA commitments of almost $245 million to the state.
The biggest part of Pennsylvania CPF money — $200 million — was used for the company’s Broadband Broadband Infrastructure Program, which covered some of the costs of last-mile deployments in areas lacking high-speed service.
An additional portion of the state’s CPF money was used for a line extension program focused on connecting individual homes to broadband providers.
Check out state broadband funding resources and state-specific Telecompetitor coverage on Telecompetitor’s Broadband Nation page for Pennsylvania. Â
