Wingate
About $29 million in government funding is coming to central Pennsylvania to expand high-speed internet access to nearly 3,000 homes and businesses, Pennsylvania’s governor said Friday at the Bald Eagle Area Middle School and High School.
Speaking in the school district with the largest geographical footprint in Centre County, Gov. Josh Shapiro said the funding is part of a broader effort to further close the state’s digital divide.
He said about 130,000 homes and businesses statewide still lack access to affordable and reliable high-speed internet, including about 20% of students in the Bald Eagle Area School District.
“This is a problem that lingered for too long. This is a problem that existed for years, that a whole lot of people talked about,” Shapiro said. “We’re solving this problem. We’re connecting people to high-speed internet and, most importantly, we’re creating more opportunity for communities that for too long have been left behind.”
The $29 million headed to Centre and Mifflin counties is expected to provide access by 2030, the state’s top executive said. His administration launched a new website Friday — pa.gov/connectpa — that offers detailed status information such as which internet service provider will be in the area.
He said the website will leave fewer questions unanswered, help communities feel empowered to know when they can expect access and “hold us accountable for delivering on time.”
Shapiro described the digital divide — the economic, educational and social inequalities between those who have online access and those who do not — as unfair and one that stymies opportunity.
“We chose to be here today because I think this community understands deeply that access to high-speed, affordable internet is not a luxury, but, indeed, it is a necessity,” Shapiro said. “… We are correcting this imbalance and making real strides when it comes to connecting all Pennsylvanians.”
Bald Eagle Area School District Superintendent Chris Santini welcomes Gov. Josh Shapiro as he announces investments in expanding broadband internet across the state during a press conference at Bald Eagle Area Middle School and High School on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Shapiro was joined Friday by a host of elected officials and Centre County leaders, including state Reps. Paul Takac and Kerry Benninghoff, county Commissioners Mark Higgins and Steve Dershem, and Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County President and CEO Greg Scott.
Shapiro said about 3,200 homes and businesses in Centre County were connected in the past three years, part of what he said is a 60% reduction in the number of locations lacking connectivity statewide.
Scott said the governor’s announcement is an investment “not only in infrastructure, but in people, businesses and communities.”
“We talk frequently about roads, air service, utilities, housing (and) sites when discussing economic competitiveness,” Scott said. “Broadband belongs on that same list.”
Higgins said the funding will take Centre County much further than county-led efforts in recent years. Takac, whose district covers large portions of rural Centre County, said a lack of reliable and affordable high-speed internet is one of the most common concerns he hears from constituents.
“The lack of high-speed internet isolates individuals and communities, especially in an increasingly connected world,” Takac said. “Simple, everyday tasks that so many of us take for granted, like searching the web or buying something online, can be a serious challenge in many rural areas, which already often lack ready access to grocery stores, banks or other professional services.”
Bald Eagle Area High School counselor Katie Kingera said she has worked with students who use a parent’s cell phone as a hotspot so they can access their assignments and complete schoolwork. Others rush to finish homework at school because they may not have reliable internet at home.
District Superintendent Chris Santini said the announcement will have a “meaningful impact on our students, families, and communities across Centre County.”
“Reliable, high-speed internet is essential for our students and schools, and this investment will help ensure more students have the connectivity they need to learn, succeed and access opportunities both inside and outside the classroom,” Santini said.
More than $448 million will support projects in 50 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties, Shapiro’s office said. Another $263 million is expected to be awarded before the end of the year.
“This is a big day for Pennsylvania,” Shapiro said.
Gov. Josh Shapiro announces investments in expanding broadband internet across the state during a press conference at Bald Eagle Area Middle School and High School on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
This story was originally published October 2, 2026 at 4:28 PM.
Centre Daily Times
Bret Pallotto primarily reports on courts and crime for the Centre Daily Times. He was raised in Mifflin County and graduated from Lock Haven University.