What’s next for broadband expansion in Westmoreland County is a broader push to reach the remaining unserved and underserved areas by combining local planning with major state and federal investment. Building on its earlier Verizon partnership that brought fiber to more than 400 locations in Derry, Fairfield, and Ligonier Townships, Westmoreland’s next phase is about using programs like the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program to expand that momentum countywide, attract additional provider investment, and make more projects financially feasible in hard-to-serve areas. For the County, that means a better chance of closing the remaining coverage gaps identified in the 2023 Data Collection & Feasibility Study, supporting economic development, improving access to telehealth, remote learning, and public services, and treating broadband more like essential infrastructure that residents and businesses can depend on for the long term. 

Westmoreland County is continuing to expand broadband access across all remaining underserved and unserved areas.

Additional next steps include: 

• Partnering with additional internet service providers to expand service into remaining COAs 

• Leveraging state and federal funding programs, including the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program 

• Advancing competitive grant applications and strategic investments to maximize coverage 

• Continuing to refine data and engage communities to ensure resources are directed where they are needed most