PA seeks federal stimulus funds for internet access

Pennsylvania officials have their eyes on $7.2 billion dollars in federal stimulus funding aimed at increasing broadband access. That’s why they have been working with private companies in an effort to strengthen the commonwealth’s funding application.

Pennsylvania officials have their eyes on $7.2 billion dollars in federal stimulus funding aimed at increasing broadband access. That’s why they have been working with private companies in an effort to strengthen the commonwealth’s funding application.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration will release the details on how states can apply for stimulus funding aimed at expanding high-speed Internet technology into rural and underserved regions.

Pennsylvania Office of Administration Deputy Secretary Charles Brennan says a portion of that money will be used to encourage more people to sign online.

Brennan: People think it’s oh, just go out and surf the net. They see the kids surfing the net. But they don’t understand that’s where the jobs are. That’s where the newspapers are. That’s where the information is. That’s where you apply for jobs.

Brennan says once Pennsylvania officials secure the federal funding, they’ll hand out service contracts to private companies.

Brennan recently met with communications professionals in Harrisburg, as part of a series of public informational meetings the Office of Administration and other agencies are holding to explain the broadband funding.