TOWANDA, Pa. — A years-long project to help connect Bradford County's nearly 60,000 residents to broadband internet is headed toward completion with $1 million in new federal funding, the group overseeing the effort said.
The new money announced by Congressman Dan Meuser puts the Central Bradford Progress Authority within reach of the $11 million needed to complete construction of the needed infrastructure, said Thomas Thompson, the authority's vice president of economic development.
"The ultimate goal is to allow the ISPs (internet service providers) to bring broadband to each resident," Thompson said.
Over three years, the Progress Authority worked to install roughly 250 miles of fiber optic cable that are part of planned loops extending within six miles of every resident and business. Service providers can use the new fiber optic network to connect with homes and businesses that, because of how remote they are, would have been too expensive to connect with before, Thompson said.
Meuser said Friday that a newly signed federal spending bill secured $1 million for expanding broadband access in Bradford County. That will help finance the project, which thus far used impact fee money provided by the county.
"Expanding reliable broadband for small businesses and residents in Bradford County is crucial for their growth and connectivity," Meuser said in a statement.
The Bradford County Emergency Management System and Guthrie Clinic are already connected, Meuser's office said.
"This community funding project will significantly improve connectivity and improve the lives of of residents and small businesses throughout the region by providing them with reliable internet access," Meuser said.
The construction is roughly halfway done, Thompson said. He's hopeful construction could finish within the next 12 to 18 months.
