LEMOYNE, Pa. — The Pennsylvania State Grange has taken a position in support of legislation helping communities to develop their own Broadband capabilities. Sponsored by Rep. Pam Snyder (D-Fayette/Greene/Washington) House Bill 2055 amends the Municipal Authorities Act to remove an impediment to local communities developing their own high-speed Broadband.
“Some smaller communities in Pennsylvania do not have adequate access to the Internet or cell phone service because it may not be economically feasible for larger corporate Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to invest in the infrastructure”, said Pennsylvania State Grange President Wayne Campbell. “ House Bill 2055 provides communities with the authority to deploy this critical infrastructure.”
According to Campbell, House Bill 2055 provides the opportunity for communities to develop their own ISP rather than wait for gradual access over time. “Rural Communities are being left behind in business development, in farming, in education and Telemedicine. HB 2055 says, in effect, involve local resources like electric cooperatives and the business community to get the job done themselves.”
Universal access to high-speed Broadband is the number one priority for the Pennsylvania State Grange.
The Pennsylvania State Grange was founded in 1873 as an advocacy organization to promote the interests of farmers, families, and rural communities in the Commonwealth.
–Pennsylvania State Grange
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