Recent discussion of broadband expansion by the Warren County Commissioners is encouraging – but also a reminder of how far we still have to go.

Michael Lyon, Warren County planning director, told Warren County Commissioners during a recent meeting that the Northwest Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission, of which Warren County is a member, was awarded around $90 million in federal BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment) program funds. That money, combined with money previously awarded to Verizon, brings several million dollars into the region to build out high-speed broadband internet access.

That’s good news – until you realize that the $90 million award is being split amongst 10 counties and the total project cost is between $275 and $396 million. A smaller project in Pleasant Township is also moving forward after Allegheny Community Broadband secured $2 million in public and private funding to build out a network that will serve 430 homes in Pleasant Township.

The $4.7 million Verizon-driven project is expected to be done by December 2026. How the $90 million awarded to the Northwest Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission will be spent is still being decided as the 10 member counties come up with a build-out plan. Then it’s back to the drawing board with funders trying to secure the rest of the project’s financing.

Finding the funding is one issue. Actually building the infrastructure in an area as remote as ours is entirely another.

We’re spending a lot of money on these projects, but it’s worth remembering that broadband internet is a necessity of life these days that is as necessary as electricity if we are to remain competitive with other counties that are trying to entice the same businesses and new residents as we are. A lot of hard work has gone into getting broadband to this point, and a lot more work will be coming in the months and years ahead.

The download bar is moving even if it still feels like it’s moving at dial-up speeds.