CORE OBJECTIVE 6: PLUG INTO THE NEW ECONOMY

WESTMORELAND COUNTY CONNECTS COMMUNITIES

Broadband internet access is essential to participate in everyday life and society. From young to old, and everyone in between, the internet is used to access services, connect people, shop, and stream music and TV. It is also used for many more vital services such as telemedicine and remote or distance learning or working from home. But access to the internet means more than just having it available, it means having access to internet at sufficient speeds to have multiple users, at a cost that is affordable, as well as having a device that adequately allows you to complete necessary tasks, and having the knowledge to use the internet safely.

Outlined as a goal in the county’s comprehensive plan, Reimagining Our Westmoreland, developing broadband capacity is critical to ensure Westmoreland County residents and businesses have the infrastructure needed to stay connected in life and society. To help make sure that all residents and businesses within the county have reliable and affordable high-speed internet, Westmoreland County leaders kicked-off the Westmoreland Broadband program in 2022.

“This endeavor, to bring reliable internet to those in need, will act as an economic growth opportunity for the entire county,” said Sean Kertes, Chairman of the Westmoreland County Board of Commissioners. “It has the ability to not only keep existing companies, but entice new ones to move in. This effort also has the potential to retain residents and attract new ones,” said Kertes.

Lead by the Westmoreland County Commissioners and Westmoreland County Planning with guidance from the Westmoreland Broadband Taskforce, a taskforce composed of local stakeholders and community leaders, the program set out to identify unserved locations to start deploying infrastructure to communities in need. During the program’s first year, data was gathered to identify unserved areas. Areas identified without access or with internet speeds of less than 25 megabits per second (Mbps) download and 3 Mbps upload were deemed unserved.

Throughout the data collection phase, feedback was gathered from the Westmoreland Broadband Taskforce, field crews were sent out to do visual inspections of broadband infrastructure, and a media campaign pushed the Westmoreland County internet survey to over 2,500 respondents. Data gathered from the survey and the field work was compiled in a Data Collection & Feasibility Study which established the following goals for Westmoreland County:

1. Digital Equity – Improve digital literacy and digital equity for all.

2. Health & Safety – Improve safety and health outcomes for vulnerable residents.

3. Growth – Invest in broadband to incentivize economic development.

4. Workforce – Invest in workforce development to benefit from expanded broadband access.

5. Municipal Support – Support municipal leadership and services.

“One very important goal to us is to make sure that our residents have access to telemedicine,” said Doug Chew, Vice-Chairman of the Westmoreland County Board of Commissioners. “Not only do residents need adequate service, but health care offices do as well. Integrating telemedicine benefits all of our residents including the elderly, busy parents and adults, and children,” said Chew.

With the completion of the Data Collection & Feasibility Study, the next step is to start building broadband infrastructure to and within the communities most in need. Over 3,500 locations were identified as being in need. To kick-off implementation, four Early Action projects were prioritized for new, reliable service, based off of an evaluation of fieldwork and survey responses which determined a high need for service.

Early Action projects are planned for quick implementation in areas located in Derry, Ligonier, and Fairfield townships. Through a request for proposal (RFP) process, county leaders plan to select internet service providers (ISPs) to advance the Early Action projects. Construction is estimated to begin by the end of 2023, with new service starting early next year. The projects will be funded by a portion of the county’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) budget.

“These Early Action projects will be immensely beneficial in allowing children and other residents who haven’t been able to participate in online learning to have the option to engage,” said Gina Cerilli Thrasher, Secretary of the Westmoreland County Board of Commissioners.

The plan to expand broadband internet doesn't stop here. Although the Early Action projects will help expand infrastructure to the areas identified as having the highest need, many other unserved and underserved areas exist. Westmoreland County leaders are already planning next steps to connect the rest of the county by the end of 2026, with plans to partner with ISPs and apply for additional grant funding. To follow the progress of this program, please visit https://westmorelandbroadband.org/ and view the interactive map.