Gov. Shapiro, along with Department of Community and Economic Secretary Rick Siger discussed plans to expand broadband access to more than 300,000 Pennsylvanians.

The plan is called the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program.

According to Siger, the common wealth has received $1.2 billion in federal funding to expand high speed internet. Now, the state plans to develop a plan to build the infrastructure necessary to do so.

"Having high speed affordable internet is not a luxury," Shapiro said. "This is not something that is for just special times or special people or special purposes... We know that with high speed affordable, reliable internet...we know that healthcare outcomes are improved. We know that educational outcomes for our children, grand children are improved."

Research conducted by the state based on federal maps created to chart areas without internet found that of the 13 million people in the state, about 328,000 people in Pennsylvania don't have reliable internet or internet at all.

Broken down, Shapiro said there are 276,000 households without internet access and 52,000 households without reliable access.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, “The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority's (PBDA) broadband serviceable location database shows that there are 2,365 (5.9%) unserved and 491 (1.2%) underserved residents in Lawrence County and 5,284 (10.5%) unserved and 1,917 (3.8%) underserved residents in Mercer County."

Beginning July 26, government officials will be accepting input from communities on how to distribute the funding. The goal is develop a plan and submit it to the federal government for approval by the end of the year or early next year.

It is estimated that it will take the state four to five years to full connect the commonwealth to the internet.

Government officials will work with local leaders to build or expand existing internet infrastructure.

When work does begin, the state will launch a website that will track how long it will take for a certain community to get access. 

They will also offer programs to help people pay for the internet. Shapiro described it as a type of subsidized internet.

Shapiro said that they hope to provide a bare minimum of high speed internet but that high-tiered options like ultra-speed internet could be available to those that want it.

"In order for us to be able to grow out economy, strengthen our community and help our seniors, we gotta connect folks to the internet," Shapiro said.

Pennsylvanians are encouraged to submit input through an online survey to help the PBDA formulate the plan. Additionally, a public comment period has opened for the five-year BEAD action plan, which will run from July 26 through August 8. The new online survey is available on the PBDA website.