Information Technology – SEDA Council of Governments

Digital Connectivity Technology Program Webinars

Posted on March 21, 2025March 21, 2025 by DNS Admin

The PBDA is hosting two webinars in anticipation of opening the second round of the Digital Connectivity Technology Program (DCTP). Each webinar will provide an overview of the program, review FAQs, and will implement breakout sessions focusing on libraries, non-profits, workforce, and education. Each breakout session will include an awardee from Round One of the program who will provide background on their project and will highlight the key elements that contributed to their success.

You can find additional details for each webinar, including registration, by clicking the links below. Please note that content covered at each session will be the same, however, questions and dialogue may differ. PBDA will be recording these sessions to post as resources on our website.

Tuesday, March 25, 2025

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program Webinars

Posted on January 17, 2025January 17, 2025 by DNS Admin

Presented by the USDA Rural Development’s Rural Utilities Service, these webinars will cover the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025.

These webinars will include:

A high-level overview of the DLT program
An overview of the FY2025 DLT Program NOFP
Information on how to apply via grants.gov
Important Dates and next steps

Slides, transcript and a recording of the webinar will be posted on the DLT website after the session.

Webinar Dates and Times:

Thursday, January 23, 2025 from 1:00-2:30 p.m. EST |Register Here
Thursday, February 6, 2025 from 1:00-2:30 p.m. EST |Register Here

USDA will present this webinar twice. The second presentation will provide the same information as the first one; no new information will be added to the second session. Please register for the session that’s most convenient for you.

Please submit any questions using the USDA Contact Us Form.

CPF – Digital Connectivity Technology Program Round Two

Posted on January 14, 2025January 14, 2025 by DNS Admin

In June 2024, the PBDA opened the Capital Projects Fund – Digital Connectivity Technology (Technology) Program. This program utilized $20 million of the $279 million in the Capital Projects Fund that were allocated to Pennsylvania through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021.

In November 2024, the PBDA Board of Directors approved 117 applications for the distribution of over 9,000 laptops across 42 counties. These entities included libraries, municipalities, workforce training organizations, not-for-profit organizations, other community anchor institutions, in areas where affordability is a barrier. For details on the first round of approved applicants, please visit the Digital Connectivity Technology Program page.

The PBDA will open a second round of the Technology Program beginning April 1, 2025, to distribute the remaining laptops. The PBDA wanted to reach out specifically to Economic Development Organizations across the Commonwealth. The intricate knowledge you have of your community member organizations and their needs, can really help to alert those entities that could benefit from this program.

There are a number of barriers that make access to high-speed internet connectivity difficult for many. More so, numerous Pennsylvanians do not have access to the devices needed to be successful in our digital economy. This program will aim to close that piece of the digital divide by allowing public-facing entities to acquire devices that will be made free and publicly available to community members.

Additionally, in preparation for this second round, there will be two webinars which will provide an overview of the program, review FAQs, and outline any updates to the guidelines. Additional information for these webinars is provided in the attached flyer.

Should you have additional questions or needs, please contact the PBDA at pbda_capitalprojectsfund@pa.gov.

Thank You,
The PBDA Team

Download: DCTP Round 2 Webinar Flyer

Webinar 1: Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Webinar 2: Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Highspeed internet now available in Perry County

Posted on February 19, 2021 by DNS Admin

Highspeed internet is up and running in and beyond Horse Valley, and the Perry County Commissioners are urging area residents and businesses to sign up.

As of Jan. 27, the coverage area includes Horse Valley, as well as south and southeast of the tower of the Blain area, and along 274 from the outskirts of New Germantown toward Cisna Run. Customers who are in a clear line of sight of Big Knob tower can sign up to receive service of up to 100 megabits.

Commissioner Brenda Watson said they want to alert residents that the project is completed and that they can sign up for fast internet service.

“This is such a crucial service for people during this time when many are working and learning from home,” Watson said.

Customers can choose from four packages providing speeds up to 40 megabits per second, all with no data caps. Interested customers may visit internet provider Centre WISP’s website at www.centrewisp.com and pick their county to see pricing and speeds, and to sign up. Centre WISP will not raise their prices for at least two years.

Perry County, along with Juniata and Mifflin counties, worked with SEDA-COG to secure state and federal funds to incentivize the internet expansion project and to select Centre WISP. Sens. Jake Corman and John DiSanto and Reps. John Hershey, Kerry Benninghoff, Rich Irvin, and Mark Keller helped secure the grants.

The funds incentivized Centre WISP to provide internet service where it wasn’t financially feasible to reach on their own, helping to bridge the last-mile funding gap. SEDA-COG is administering this Tri-County Broadband Project in collaboration with Mifflin, Juniata, and Perry counties.

SEDA-COG enhances the quality of life and economic advantage for residents and businesses in 11 central Pennsylvania counties through its vital partnerships and initiatives. SEDA-COG also is an advocate for the interests of its communities at the state and federal levels. For more information, visit www.seda-cog.org.