Broadband Ready Communities (BBRC) Program

The Broadband Ready Communities Program (BBRC) is a state initiative developed by the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA), an agency committed to expanding broadband infrastructure and reducing internet access disparities across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The PBDA, led by Chairman Honorable Uri Monson and Executive Director Brandon Carson, created this program to foster local-level readiness for broadband deployment by encouraging municipalities to minimize procedural, policy, and permitting barriers. This program supports PBDA’s broader vision of equitable broadband availability and serves as a strategy to attract infrastructure investments in underserved communities. The primary objective of the BBRC is to prepare municipalities for broadband expansion by improving local permitting processes, designating a Broadband Champion for point-of-contact efficiency, and ensuring transparency and readiness through asset inventory and community engagement. Participation in the program enhances a municipality’s visibility among broadband implementation firms and positions them for funding opportunities through federal and state programs like the Capital Projects Fund (CPF) and Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) programs. Additionally, the PBDA promotes digital equity programming through the Digital Equity Act to ensure communities can not only access broadband but also use it meaningfully. To apply, municipalities must designate a Municipal Broadband Champion who acts as a liaison between the PBDA and the community, and complete a Broadband Ready Communities Worksheet. This worksheet includes documentation of stakeholder engagement, acknowledgment of applicable funding programs, and an optional but encouraged asset inventory that may include rights-of-way, municipally-owned poles, and permitting logistics. Municipalities are also required to pass a formal resolution, using the provided PBDA template, to confirm their commitment and authorization to participate. These completed resolutions must be submitted via email to RA-DCBroadbandReady@pa.gov. Eligibility for this opportunity is strictly limited to Pennsylvania municipalities that are committed to reducing barriers to broadband deployment. Although resources and technical capacities vary across municipalities, the PBDA offers limited technical assistance and encourages collaborative efforts with neighboring municipalities and county governments. Participation in the program is entirely voluntary, but strongly encouraged for communities aiming to accelerate broadband infrastructure rollout. Once approved, municipalities will receive official designation as a Broadband Ready Community. Recognition includes visibility on the PBDA website, promotion in PBDA newsletters, mentions at conferences and related events, and a digital badge or logo for the municipality's website and social media to signify their commitment to broadband readiness. These recognitions serve both as incentives and tools to attract public-private partnership interest from ISPs and infrastructure investors. Applications are currently open and must be submitted by March 31, 2025. There is no mention of rolling deadlines, and the program is not described as recurring. Therefore, municipalities are encouraged to meet the stated deadline. While there is no specific award funding attached to this program, the designation positions municipalities for future broadband infrastructure grants and related investments. For questions or further information, applicants are advised to use the provided PBDA contact email.