Laughlin Announces Investment to Enhance Broadband Access in Erie County

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) today awarded more than $1.4 million in grant funding to two Erie County projects seeking to improve internet access within the community, announced Sen. Dan Laughlin (R-49).

The Erie Regional Library Foundation has been awarded $943,817 for its Children’s Library Reno project. This library renovation project will increase the facility’s public computers and expand access to high-speed internet for children and their families.

Erie’s Black Wall Street Project Cornerstone will receive $500,000 to transform a property into a multifunctional community hub, including public access to the internet to support workforce, education and health monitoring activities and programming.

“I’m proud to have secured this grant funding which will help ensure these facilities remain critical hubs that serve as lifelines for work, education and health,” said Laughlin. “By improving these facilities, we make sure our communities are well-equipped to meet current and future needs.”

The grants are funded through the federally backed Multi-Purpose Community Facilities Program. The program is part of a $45 million competitively awarded initiative to support projects that bolster high-speed broadband access for essential services – including work, education and health monitoring – using community anchor institutions.

For more state-related news and information, constituents can visit Laughlin’s website at www.senatorlaughlin.com or follow him on Facebook and Twitter @senatorlaughlin.

Contact:  David Kozak   717-787-8927

Back to Top