Source: PA Department of Community & Economic Development
The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority is sharing the following information regarding Connect Humanity, a recent awardee of an ARISE (Appalachian Regional Initiative for Stronger Economies) grant, which is funded through the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). NOTE: The following grant program is only applicable to those applicants who are within one of the named counties in the attached map.
ARISE is a new ARC initiative that aims to drive large-scale, regional economic transformation through multi-state collaborative projects across Appalachia. Recently, Connect Humanity was awarded $6.3 million through the ARC ARISE program to provide technical assistance for 12 Appalachian states, to include Pennsylvania. Connect Humanity is a 501 C-3 organization. Their mission is to provide underserved communities with the resources and knowledge needed to build a digital future. Committed to advancing connectivity in their communities, Connect Humanity offers grants, impact investments, and technical support to help get them there.
Connect Humanity’s project, “Preparing Appalachian Communities for BEAD/DEA” will be identifying up to 50 communities across ARC’s geographic footprint, support them through the creation of Digital Equity Master Plans, and work with them to submit BEAD and DEA applications. Connect Humanity is accepting applications until April 30, 2023. The application form may be viewed here.
Please join Connect Humanity on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 11 AM for a virtual webinar. If you’d like to attend you may register here.
As many of you know, the Commonwealth’s ARC footprint is comprised of 52 of our 67 counties. We are hopeful that many eligible communities apply for this competitive technical assistance program. If you have additional questions, I recommend you reach out to Jennifer Lench, Program Manager for the State ARC office, at jlench@pa.gov.