Broadband Authority Unveils Broadband Ready Designation, Schedules April 8 Webinar 

The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority has unveiled its Broadband Ready Communities (BBRC) Program. The Authority stated that the intent of the new program is to help reduce procedural, policy, and permitting barriers to broadband deployment at the municipal level and to encourage broadband infrastructure investment within participating Pennsylvania communities. Municipalities that obtain the voluntary designation will be promoted to broadband providers for investment in broadband expansion. 

The BBRC designation will not impact a municipality’s ability to obtain grant funding for broadband through PBDA or other agencies. Each situation with a municipality will vary, and applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. PBDA will provide significant flexibility for municipalities through the designation’s review process. The goal of the program is to ensure an attainable baseline for municipalities to achieve Broadband Ready designation.  

To register for the program, townships must watch a live or recorded version of a webinar on the program, which will be held on Monday, April 8, at 1 p.m. The municipality will then need to complete a questionnaire and pass a resolution to apply for the new designation. Registration for the program is now open but will close on December 31, 2024. PSATS urges you to view the video to determine whether the designation makes sense and brings value to your township. 

To learn more about this program, click here. Questions about the BBRC Program can be directed to ra-dcbroadbandready@pa.gov.