Pennsylvania
Work underway to expand broadband access to rural Pennsylvania regions – LVB
Access to the internet is something that most people take for granted. In some cases, it’s necessary to access services from banking to buying movie tickets.
But in some parts of the country, including right here in Pennsylvania, high-speed internet isn’t available.
The Biden administration estimates 30 million Americans live in areas that don’t have access to the infrastructure needed for high-speed internet, including about 5% of Pennsylvania residents.
There’s an effort underway both on the federal and state level to change that.
The state has been working with service providers to bring broadband to unserved and underserved regions such as Berks County.
One of them is Wyomissing-based Fastbridge Fiber.
The company recently began work on bringing its network to Muhlenberg Township, with service set to begin this spring.
“FastBridge Fiber will provide many of our residents with a choice for internet service and we are excited to welcome them into our community. This not only expands choice and quality of service, but it is another example of the Township welcoming new business and technology that will benefit residents and local businesses alike,” Joe Mench, assistant township manager and director of Information Technology & Communications, said in a statement.
Fastbridge was working to bring its network to the Greater Williamsport region as well as Bloomsburg and Danville.
Comcast is also working to expand its presence in Berks County.
The company recently announced that it is expanding service to Birdsboro.
The internet provider said on its website that it will deliver Xfinity and Comcast Business services to more than 2,000 residents and businesses in the southern Berks County borough and is planning to extend service in other parts of the county through 2024.
The company noted that service is already available in the Amity, Exeter and St. Lawrence areas of Berks County.
Last year Pennsylvania received $1,161,778,272 from the Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to help expand high-speed internet access across Pennsylvania.
“Nowadays, reliable, broadband internet access is almost as fundamental as electricity or running water. We can’t let our rural and other underserved communities get left behind due to lack of broadband access,” U.S. Senator John Fetterman said. “This funding is a big deal and will help deliver more broadband for all people, in rural and urban areas, so that everyone has equitable access to stable high-speed internet at home.”
Bringing broadband to the state is being organized by the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA.)
It defines broadband as at least 1.544 megabits per second download speed and 128 kilobits per second upload speed.
The authority was created in December 2021 as an independent agency of the PA Department of Community and Economic Development to focus on closing the digital divide in the state. Part of its mission is to offer financial assistance to service providers to expand into unserved or underserved areas.
The authority said it’s not just about internet access for individuals and families. Accessing high-speed broadband is imperative for businesses looking to remain regionally and globally competitive.
The Pennsylvania Beef Council recently launched the inaugural Pennsylvania Beef Trail with menu tastings at two highlighted trail stops in Berks County.
Held in May to celebrate Beef Month, the event brought together Pennsylvania Beef Council leadership, Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding, local restaurant partners, beef producers and community members to celebrate Pennsylvania beef, local food businesses and the culinary creativity found across the Commonwealth.
The Pennsylvania Beef Trail highlights restaurants across the state serving standout beef dishes nominated by consumers. Hosted on the Pennsylvania Beef Council website, the trail features an interactive map designed to help Pennsylvanians discover delicious beef dishes by region and plan their own beef-inspired dining experiences.
“The PA Beef Trail is a celebration of everything that makes Pennsylvania beef special: the farmers who raise it, the restaurants that prepare it and the consumers who love it,” Nichole Hockenberry, executive director of the Pennsylvania Beef Council, said in the release.
“Launching the trail during May, which is Beef Month, gave us the perfect opportunity to showcase the connection between agriculture, local businesses, and the meals that bring people together.”
The celebration featured two stops on the trail: Saucony Creek Brewing Company in Kutztown and Deitsch Eck Restaurant in Lenhartsville.
Attendees sampled a variety of featured beef dishes, including pit beef sliders, sausage sandwiches, smoked chuck roast tacos, and Golden Arches flatbread from Saucony Creek Brewing Company, as well as beef pot pie, shepherd’s pie, and The Luther from Deitsch Eck Restaurant.
The launch event also underscored the role of beef in Pennsylvania’s agricultural identity and local economy. By highlighting restaurants that serve creative, consumer-loved beef dishes, the trail encourages residents and visitors to support local businesses while recognizing the farmers and producers behind every plate.
“Pennsylvania beef has a story that stretches from pasture to plate,” Kylie Lusk, director of consumer affairs for the Pennsylvania Beef Council, said in the release. “The PA Beef Trail gives consumers a fun, interactive way to explore that story while discovering restaurants and dishes they may not have tried before. We’re excited to see people use the trail throughout the year to support local restaurants and celebrate beef across the Commonwealth.”
The inaugural PA Beef Trail features 73 stops across Pennsylvania, showcasing a wide variety of dishes, from burgers and brisket to short rib, oxtail ragu and other creative beef-forward menu items. Organized by region, the trail makes it easy for consumers to find nearby stops or plan a road trip around Pennsylvania’s beef destinations.
The Pennsylvania Beef Council encourages consumers to explore the trail, visit participating restaurants, and share their experiences on social media.
To view the interactive map and explore the full PA Beef Trail, visit www.pabeef.org/pa-beef-trail.
President Trump is visiting the Lehigh Valley next week.
Mr. Trump will speak at Mack Trucks in Macungie, Pennsylvania, Tuesday at 2 p.m. Macungie is roughly 10 miles from Allentown.
Mack Trucks is a 1.7 million square-foot facility in Macungie that assembles heavy-duty trucks for North American and export markets, according to its website.
“Mack Trucks are a symbol of America’s manufacturing strength,” Rep. Dan Meuser said in a Facebook post about Mr. Trump’s upcoming visit to Pennsylvania. “Their Lehigh Valley operations are a pillar of the local economy, employing Pennsylvania workers and driving the nation’s trucking industry.”
In the lead-up to the 2024 election, Mr. Trump visited Pennsylvania, a crucial swing state, multiple times. He’s also visitied during his second term.
In December 2025, Mr. Trump said in a speech in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, that he was “crushing” inflation and called affordability concerns a “Democratic hoax.”
One week later, Vice President JD Vance aimed to calm the affordability concerns at a Uline facility in Alburtis, about 13 miles southwest of Allentown.
Tickets are available for Mr. Trump’s visit to Macungie next week on a first-come, first-serve basis.
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