Thompson Announces Nearly $1.1 Million Grant for Clarion County

Statement

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Representative Glenn "GT" Thompson today announced Clarion County is the recipient of a $1,096,125 Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) POWER grant. This federal funding will support the Clarion County Connected broadband project.

The ARC investment will result in the availability of high-quality broadband service to 85 businesses and 1,620 households. The funds will be used to develop a fixed wireless broadband solution for the county's unserved and underserved areas.

In addition to ARC funds, local sources will provide $1,096,125, bringing the total project funding to $2,192,250.

"More than 500,000 Pennsylvanians do not have access to broadband connectivity, and the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the need for our families and businesses to have quality, reliable internet service," Rep. Thompson said. "I applaud the Clarion County Commissioners for working to address this challenge facing the community and remain grateful for the Appalachian Regional Commission's continued support to bridge the digital divide in rural America."

"This ARC grant is one more spoke in the wheel of the broadband progress in Clarion County," Clarion County Commissioner Ted Tharan said.

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ABOUT THE ARC

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is an economic development agency of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 420 counties across the Appalachian region. ARC's mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia and help the region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation.

Source