HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) today announced that the Charleroi Area Public Library has been awarded nearly $594,000 in grant funding to bolster internet access within the community, according to Sen. Camera Bartolotta (R-46).
The funding will be used for the library’s “Renovate, Elevate and Adapt for Tomorrow” (REACT) project. The project is designed to enhance the library’s infrastructure and services, ensuring it meets the evolving needs of the community.
“Charleroi Area Public Library serves our area in so many ways by supporting work, education and health monitoring, and this grant will further all of those important initiatives. It will also address areas of improvement as revealed by the pandemic,” Bartolotta said.
The grant, funded through the federally backed Multi-Purpose Community Facilities Program, is part of a $45 million competitively awarded initiative to support projects that bolster high-speed broadband access for essential services, including work, education, and health monitoring, using community anchor institutions.
Improving internet access in schools, libraries, recreation centers and non-profit organizations, this investment ensures that these facilities remain critical hubs for public benefit.
To maintain transparency and ensure measurable progress, the PBDA requires grantees to submit quarterly and annual reports detailing the project’s advancement, and compliance with federal standards. A final report, due within three months of project completion, will outline the full impact of the grant, including outcomes, sustainability efforts and equity considerations. The final 10% of funding will only be released after a thorough review of this report.
This investment is a key part of the Commonwealth’s broader mission to strengthen community infrastructure and create accessible public spaces that serve as lifelines for work, education, and health. By improving these facilities, Pennsylvania is ensuring its communities are well-equipped to meet current and future needs.
CONTACT: Katrina Hanna, 717-787-1463