Governor Josh Shapiro announced $448 million in federal broadband grants to projects across 50 Pennsylvania counties on October 2, 2026. The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) distributed the funds during a ceremony at Bald Eagle High School in Centre County. This marks the first round of awards following the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) April approval of more than $711 million in BEAD funding for the state.
What it means
The awarded grants support infrastructure projects utilizing fiber and fixed wireless technologies. According to the PBDA, these funds will cover long-term leases, multi-family deployments, planning, personnel, physical improvements, and software upgrades. Recipients must provide a minimum 25 percent matching share of total project costs, though there is no set minimum or maximum grant amount for individual projects.
Verizon received $28.85 million in BEAD funding to complement its $40 million investment. The carrier’s project will serve nearly 3,000 homes and businesses in Centre and Mifflin counties. A 2021 broadband study sponsored by Centre County Commissioners identified the need for greater accessibility in the region.
Governor Shapiro stated that all remaining program funds will be awarded before the end of 2026. He pledged to connect all Pennsylvanians to high-speed, affordable internet by the end of the decade. Since 2022, the number of households lacking high-speed access has dropped from more than 330,000 to less than 133,000, a decrease of nearly 60 percent. Over 198,000 locations have been connected during this period.
Residents can track estimated connection dates through a new website, pa.gov/ConnectPA. Pennsylvania was originally allocated $1.16 billion in BEAD funding through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. The program operates under NTIA’s Notice of Funding Opportunity, the BEAD Restructuring Policy Notice, and Pennsylvania’s Act 96 of 2021. Updated requirements were issued by the NTIA in 2025.
Key facts
- $448 million in BEAD grants awarded to 50 counties
- $711 million total BEAD funding approved by NTIA for Pennsylvania in April 2026
- $1.16 billion original BEAD allocation via Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021
- Verizon awarded $28.85 million to serve nearly 3,000 locations in Centre and Mifflin counties
- Households lacking high-speed internet dropped from 330,000 (2022) to less than 133,000
- Over 198,000 locations connected since 2022
- All remaining funds to be awarded by end of 2026
- Minimum 25 percent matching share required for project costs
Source: Governor Josh Shapiro news release