Westmoreland Broadband Program
Westmoreland County is taking definitive steps to ensure that all its residents and businesses have access to reliable and affordable high-speed Internet.
The Westmoreland Broadband Program was developed to identify Internet gap areas and to work with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to begin deploying infrastructure to reach communities in need of broadband.
The County held a Press Event on January 19, 2023, that provided details about the feasibility study, project goals, and priorities. For highlights of the event, select the link below.
Broadband Ready Communities Program
Let ISPs know that your municipality is ready for new broadband infrastructure by applying for the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority’s Broadband Ready Communities (BBRC) Program. The goal of this program is to reduce procedural, policy, and permitting barriers to broadband deployment at the municipal level. Westmoreland County encourages all municipal leaders, but especially those with high numbers of areas that are unserved and underserved by high-speed internet, to apply for this program.
The County will walk each participating municipality through the process and handle most of the leg work for you. Let us know you want to apply by using the Contact Us form or calling 724-495-4350.
For more information check out the BBRC resources.
BBRC Resources
Brief Overview Video (5 minutes)
Share this condensed informational video with your municipal leaders or at your next public meeting.
BRCC Program: Municipal Guidance Video (full length)
In this video you will receive detailed information about the program guidelines.
FAQ
Yes. It is recommended that municipalities partner with their county to serve as Municipal Broadband Champion. Links to sample resolutions necessary for both the county and municipality to authorize this partnership are found on the BBRC webpage. Please note that even if your county is not serving as Municipal Broadband Champion, you are required to notify them that you are participating in the BBRC program.
No. Westmoreland County’s consultant, Michael Baker, will submit it on your behalf. You only need to complete the application form on the Westmoreland broadband webpage and send it to [email protected].
You can contact a member of the Westmoreland Broadband at [email protected] or 724-495-4350.
Municipalities must demonstrate that they publicly advertised the program for two (2) weeks, presented the program during a public meeting, and ensure they have offered constituents the opportunity to provide comment. The two (2) week advertisement requirement may consist of activities including physical postings at a municipal building, online postings, or inclusion in a newsletter.
It does not require an advertisement in a newspaper of general circulation.
The PBDA will review applications on a case-by-case basis. It is recommended municipalities with large numbers of underserved and unserved residents implement an exemption until January 1, 2027, in their street/pave cut ordinance to ensure expedited deployment of broadband infrastructure.
Municipalities should evaluate their permit approval processes to ensure efficient processing timelines and to confirm that policies are current and effective. Best practices on reviewing municipal permitting charges and fees can be found on the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) website.
The PBDA also recommends reaching out to the Governor’s Center for Local Government Services and Office of Planning within the Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED) for additional technical assistance with permitting. In addition, PennDOT Connects and Center for Rural PA offer collaborative planning resources.
On the homepage of www.westmorelandbroadband.org are the PowerPoint, BBRC handout, and video you can share with your community that will help to explain the program.
Michael Baker is happy to help you gather the necessary data if you need assistance. Just email [email protected] and someone will reach out to help you.
Please have the resolution completed by September 16 or sooner.
Verizon Launches High-Speed Internet for Early Action Areas
Verizon will expand broadband services to four Early Action project areas within Derry, Fairfield, and Ligonier Townships. Through the Broadband Feasibility Study, these areas were identified as having the greatest need and were prioritized to bring much-needed support to residents and businesses. Click the link below for additional information.
Final Report
The recently-completed Broadband Data Collection & Feasibility Study is a critical first step in developing future broadband infrastructure improvements and securing or dedicating funding. The findings will help to inform the next steps in bridging the digital gaps in Westmoreland County.
Understanding Broadband
Broadband or high-speed Internet access allows users to access the Internet and Internet-related services at significantly higher speeds than those available through “dial-up” services. Hover over the boxes to get more information on how broadband works.
How is
Speed Measured?
What is
Download Speed?
What is
Upload Speed?
What is
Fixed Broadband?
What is
Mobile Broadband?
What is
Broadband Access?
Community and Stakeholder Engagement
Community engagement was key in raising awareness about the study, fieldwork, and promoting the survey. Westmoreland County partnered with local leaders and stakeholders to help with messaging and to engage underrepresented populations such as senior citizens, low-income and rural residents, and other hard-to-reach communities. Several communication tools and resources were provided to stakeholders and the public to share the survey and information about the project.
The primary goals of the communications strategy for survey participation included:
What We Heard
“Our biggest issue is speed and the lack of capacity for multiple simultaneous use.”
– Latrobe Resident
“I wish I could get better affordable internet, I actually have been looking into it. The connection is so slow, it takes a long time to just load a page.”
– Derry Resident
“We need internet in our area. Doing school from home during COVID-19 was a challenge and I feel my kids suffered from the lack of internet in our area.”
– Bolivar Resident
