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Salem supervisors endorse "Broadband Ready" application to position township for future funding
Summary
The Salem Township Board voted to submit a Broadband Ready Communities application to prepare the township to receive broadband funds; supervisors said the designation requires public notice, easement permitting and ordinance steps and cited prior federal ARPA allocations to the state.
The Salem Township Board of Supervisors unanimously approved Resolution No. 25‑2024 on Aug. 21 to submit a "Broadband Ready Communities" application that the board said positions the township to receive broadband funding when state or federal dollars are allocated.
Supervisor Kerry Jobe explained Salem has been identified as one of approximately 1 in 20 municipalities in Westmoreland County needing broadband and that the resolution starts procedural steps — publicly announcing the program, managing permitting for easements and adopting enabling resolutions — so the township is "ready when the money is ready to be allocated." Officials noted that the state received roughly $1.6 billion in prior federal ARPA funding to support broadband efforts.
Resident Lisa Segina asked what the designation provides. Supervisor Bob Zundel said it is an early step in bringing broadband service where none exists and that further planning and funding decisions will follow as grants or allocations become available.
