Feds Fund Two Broadband Infrastucture Projects in PA

from the inbox:

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the funding of 2 new Recovery Act broadband infrastructure projects in Pennsylvania. Overall, 126 new broadband infrastructure projects that will create jobs and provide rural residents in 38 states and Native American tribal areas access to improved service are receiving Recovery Act funding today. Broadband access plays a critical role in expanding economic, health care, educational and public safety services in underserved rural communities. Today’s announcement is part of the second round of USDA broadband funding through the Recovery Act.

Pennsylvania projects are (see full list here):

West Virginia PCS Alliance, LC
PA (46%) WV (17%)MD (37%)
$3,268,518
This $3.3 million award with an additional $1.1 million applicant-provided match will allow West Virginia PCS Alliance to provide cost effective high-speed mobile broadband to various rural and low-income areas of the existing NTELOS PCS wireless network in rural Pennsylvania, Maryland, and West Virginia. West Virginia PCS Alliance's project stands to benefit over 185,000 people. In addition, nearly 9,000 businesses and 2,000 community institutions stand to benefit from this project. Not only will this project create jobs upfront, but it will also help drive economic development in the community that will help create jobs for years to come.

Deposit Telephone Company, Inc.
PA (4%) NY (96%)
$3,143,839
This $3.1 million grant to Deposit Telephone Company with an additional $1 million of outside capital will bring high-speed DSL broadband service to unserved establishments in New York and Pennsylvania. Deposit Telephone's project stands to benefit approximately 2,700 people and over 70 businesses. In addition to the jobs this project will create upfront, it will help drive economic development and create jobs for decades to come.