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Core Connect wins $90.66 million BEAD award to bring fiber to Cameron County and nine neighboring counties

Cameron County meeting · February 19, 2026

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Summary

Committee member (S2) announced Core Connect received $90,661,771 from the NTIA and PA Broadband Development Authority under the BEAD program to connect more than 10,000 units across 10 counties, including Cameron County; S2 said the open-access model will promote economic growth but noted buildout work is only beginning.

Committee member (S2) told the meeting that Core Connect, a nonprofit open‑access broadband organization, has been awarded $90,661,771 by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority through the BEAD program to build fiber to more than 10,000 units across 10 counties including Cameron.

"By building future‑proof infrastructure, Core Connect is positioning Northwest PA to adapt to evolving technologies and needs," Committee member (S2) said, calling the award "vitally important for our community in rural Pennsylvania." S2 added, "Although, now is where the hard work starts because now we get to finally start to build out."

The committee member described the project as an open‑access model intended to support small businesses, entrepreneurs and rural households that lack reliable high‑speed internet. S2 said the award covers Cameron, Clarion, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Mercer, Lawrence, Warren and Venango counties and comes through the federal BEAD funding process administered in Pennsylvania.

S2 said the county will use geospatial and parcel data improvements to help planning and emphasized that coordinated local participation will be required during buildout. S2 also noted plans to host a public town hall in June or July with the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health to explain the project and next steps for residents.

This item was presented as an informational report; no formal county vote on the award was recorded during the meeting. Committee member (S2) indicated the next steps are local coordination and construction planning.

Provenance: Core Connect award and related planning were presented starting with S2’s report (transcript SEG 161–SEG 189).