BEAVER, PA (September 18, 2024) – The Beaver County Commissioners announced that the first homes in the countywide Connect Beaver County Broadband Program are now eligible for high-speed fiber-optic
Internet access.

“Today starts the reality of a goal our team at the Office of Planning and Redevelopment has had for several years – to bring broadband Internet access to every resident of Beaver County,” said Commissioner Dan Camp. “Our successful partnership with Verizon and dedication to this project is now bringing the results we’ve been looking forward to for many years.”

Approximately 250 addresses throughout Hookstown Borough, Greene Township, and Hanover Township are the first available to receive service through the County’s contract with Verizon. To date, Verizon has placed more than 166 miles of fiber-optic cable. Homes located within the new fiber build have multiple Internet options including up to 2 Gigabit download speeds. The announcement marks a long-awaited milestone in the Connect Beaver County Broadband Program.

In 2019, the Beaver County Office of Planning and Development set aside $11.9 million of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for this phase of the Connect Beaver County Broadband Program. As part of its successful response to proposal in 2022, Verizon agreed to more than match the County’s investment by contributing another $12.3 million. Additional ARPA Funds were designated for Early Action Projects performed by Armstrong and Kinetic in the northwest and southeast areas of the County, respectively.

“Having a plan for 100% coverage is a goal that few counties are able to boast,” said Commissioner Jack Manning. “Our Board of Commissioners recognized early on that high-speed broadband service is essential for our County’s long-term viability and livability, and it’s an exciting time for the project as more and more of our residents are able to seek opportunities presented by the digital world.”

Beaver County continues to serve as a national leader in broadband infrastructure development. The Connect Beaver County Program demonstrates the power of collaboration between the public and private sectors to bridge the digital divide and create a more connected community.

“We are proud of the hard work that our team at the Office of Planning and Redevelopment has achieved to arrive at this point,” said Commissioner Tony Amadio. “We know these investments will be transformational for residents in Beaver County who have for too long been unable to enjoy a certain quality of life.”

More than 1,800 locations throughout the County previously identified in a 2021 Beaver County Broadband Feasibility report as Connectivity Opportunity Areas will receive service through Verizon before the project’s expected completion in 2026.

Other Beaver County municipalities with Verizon construction slated for 2025 or 2026 include: Big Beaver Borough, Brighton Township, Center Township, Chippewa Township, Darlington Township, Daugherty Township, Eastvale Borough, Frankfort Springs Borough, Franklin Township, Hanover Township (additional locations), Hopewell Township, Independence Township, Industry Borough, Marion Township, Midland Borough, New Sewickley Township, North Sewickley Township, Ohioville
Borough, Patterson Township, Potter Township, Raccoon Township, Shippingport Borough, South Beaver Township.

Newly eligible residents can call Verizon at 1-800-225-5499 to subscribe.

Residents’ previous enrollment in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) or enrollment in Lifeline, Medicaid, or other programs, may indicate eligibility for the Verizon Forward program, a reduced-cost Internet program for qualifying households.

As soon as service becomes available in eligible areas, Verizon will notify serviceable locations.