Altoona Times

Once a luxury, broadband has now become a necessity, but many Pennsylvanians remain without adequate access, particularly in rural regions. To tackle this issue, Representative Rich Irvin (R-Huntingdon/Franklin) and the House Republican Policy Committee, led by Chairman Joshua D. Kail (R-Beaver/Washington), gathered in Huntingdon for a hearing titled “Advancing Our Rural Connectivity.”

“We have a lot of exciting things happening concerning broadband in Huntingdon County, and I really want to showcase that,” stated Irvin. He emphasized that this is an issue affecting the entire state. “Bringing attention to this issue is very important for the whole state.”

The first panel featured testimonies from Huntingdon County Commissioner Jeff Thomas and David L. Smead Jr., fire chief of Shavers Creek Valley Community Volunteer Fire Company.

“Huntingdon County's goal is to get broadband to everyone,” said Thomas. However, he noted that access to state game lands and forest lands presents significant challenges.

For emergency services, reliable broadband is crucial for community safety. Fire Chief Smead highlighted how search and rescue teams need quick access to maps when looking for missing persons. Similarly, during vehicle extrications involving modern cars with advanced technologies, including electric vehicles, rapid research on car designs is necessary for effective rescue operations—something hindered by poor broadband connectivity.

The second panel addressed issues related to broadband connectivity and deployment with insights from Dwight Rittenhouse of the Rural Broadband Cooperative; Rachel Papuga from Alleghenies Broadband Inc.; Brandon Carson of PA Broadband Development Authority; and Todd Eachus from Broadband Communications Association of PA.

“The aging population in rural PA struggles with access as it relates to knowledge,” explained Papuga. She pointed out that older residents often lack digital skills or familiarity with new technologies, which exacerbates digital inequity due to the older demographic in rural areas.

“Rural communities are disproportionately affected by lack of connectivity,” said Carson. He expressed confidence that nearly $1.5 billion in federal funding could help close the digital divide. Both members and testifiers agreed that eliminating burdensome regulations and reforming permitting processes would be beneficial.

Kail remarked on the broader implications: “Broadband isn’t just about lifestyle,” he said. “The availability of broadband is about life—family-sustaining jobs and competitive advantages for our children." Emphasizing its bipartisan nature, Kail urged action: "It’s time we remove the obstacles, put resources to work, and advance connectivity for the rural Pennsylvanians who have been technologically disadvantaged for too long.”