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Salem Township votes to seek 'Broadband Ready' designation to pursue broadband funding
Summary
Supervisors authorized submitting a Broadband Ready Communities application, saying the designation commits Salem to public notice and permitting steps so the township can be eligible for state or federal broadband funds tied to ARPA allocations.
Salem Township supervisors unanimously voted Aug. 21 to authorize submission of a Broadband Ready Communities application intended to position the township for broadband deployment funding.
Board members said the designation does not itself deliver funding but requires the township to meet procedural steps—public notice at meetings, streamlined permitting for easements and rights‑of‑way, and adoption of supporting resolutions—so the township is “ready” when state or federal dollars become available. "This is the beginning stages of the process to provide broadband services in the township where there isn't any," said Supervisor Bob Zundel. Supervisor Kerry Jobe added that Salem has been identified as one of 20 municipalities in Westmoreland County needing broadband and that the resolution signals the township’s intent to meet program requirements.
The board said the federal government allocated roughly $1.6 billion to the state several years ago under the American Rescue Plan Act; local officials described the Broadband Ready program as a readiness and permitting framework that helps communities compete for eventual project funding. Township officials said they will post Broadband Ready Program materials on the township website and handle required public notices and permitting steps as part of the application process.
What happens next: the township will complete the application and publish required notices and permit‑management procedures; any actual broadband deployments will require separate negotiations and funding awards.
