Pennsylvania Broadband Authority opens Round 2 of device grant; four Round 1 awardees describe local uses

The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority on a statewide webinar outlined Round 2 of its Capital Projects Fund Digital Connectivity Technology Program (DCTP), which provides Windows laptops to public-facing community organizations to support broadband access, digital literacy and related workforce, education and health uses. "The main goal of the Digital Connectivity Technology Program is to provide digital services in the form of devices to community serving organizations in order to facilitate broadband Internet access throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania," said Kaylee Snyder, Outreach and Engagement Manager for the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA).

The program is funded through the U.S. Treasury’s Capital Projects Fund established under the American Rescue Plan Act; PBDA staff said about $20,000,000 is available to support device procurement statewide. PBDA contracted with HP to procure a 13.3-inch HP EliteBook running Windows 11 Pro; staff said each device with warranty and shipping currently costs a little over $2,900 and that full awards include a four-year factory warranty and accidental damage coverage.

Why it matters: the DCTP is explicitly aimed at organizations that provide public-facing services in places where affordability has been identified as a barrier to broadband adoption. Eligible institutions include libraries, community schools, workforce-training organizations, municipalities, nonprofit community anchor institutions and similar entities. PBDA staff emphasized that grantees must demonstrate how device lending or on-site access will advance digital equity and enable at least one…