The Commonwealth has determined that prevailing wage must be paid for any broadband expansion using state or federal dollars as these projects meet the definition of “public work” in the Prevailing Wage Act. The good news is that federal dollars will cover these increased costs. However, the bad news is that higher costs means that less broadband will be constructed with these limited dollars.  

To make it easier on applicants, The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority has obtained prevailing wage rates for grant applicants to construct broadband for unserved and underserved areas under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (BEAD) in all 67 counties. Those rates are available by clicking here. Applications for the first round of the BEAD program are due Friday, February 7, 2025. To learn more about BEAD, click here.