(File Photo of Rep. Matzie)

 AMBRIDGE, Nov. 22 – The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority on Thursday approved distribution of more than 9,100 laptop computers to community entities statewide to help connect residents who lack digital technology, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced.

Matzie, who sits on the PBDA board, said that under the Digital Connectivity Technology Program, the Baden-based Prevention Network and CLASS Academy will receive 75 laptops, and the Ambridge-based computer training school Tech2Elevate will receive 25 laptops.

“Having reliable, high-speed internet means having instant access to job openings, training programs, health and safety information, online shopping and so many other resources,” Matzie said. “But too many people still lack these essential connections. Getting these laptops to organizations that can make them available to residents will help us close that digital divide.”
Matzie said that in addition to the laptops going to Beaver County organizations, more than 2,000 laptops will be distributed to 25 Allegheny County organizations, including 200 laptops to the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh.

Along with the equipment, Matzie said the PBDA will partner with the state Department of Labor and Industry and PA CareerLink® to introduce program participants to SkillUp™ PA, which offers no-cost online job skills training to the public.

The Digital Connectivity Technology Program is funded under the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund, which was established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The program aims to increase access to technology where affordability has been identified as a barrier to broadband adoption and use. The PBDA will distribute $20 million in devices through a competitive grant process to public-facing community anchor institutions and units of local government.
A second round of laptop applications will open in 2025.

A list of recipients is available here: https://dced.pa.gov/download/covid-19-arpa-pennsylvania-digital-connectivity-technology-program/?wpdmdl=125481, and more on the program is available here: https://dced.pa.gov/programs/covid-19-arpa-digital-connectivity-technology-program/.