Pennsylvania hands out thousands of laptops for residents without devices

The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority on Thursday announced the state will distribute more than 9,100 laptops to community organizations, allowing those who do not have access to the devices to use them on site or take them home via lending programs.

The announcement, made by PBDA Executive Director Brandon Carson, comes after the authority’s Board of Directors’ approved of 117 applications from organizations across 42 Pennsylvania counties through the state’s Digital Connectivity Technology Program. The program aims to expand access to devices where affordability has been identified as a barrier to broadband adoption and use.

“The community organizations receiving these devices will help ensure that individuals needing to use a laptop to access high-speed, reliable internet will have that important access,” Carson said in a news release. “Each organization has outlined a clear and effective plan to make these laptops available to individuals in their communities so they have better health, education, and economic outcomes.”

The program gave PDBA the authority to distribute $20 million in federal funds secured through the American Rescue Plan for technology devices. The funding is distributed through a competitive grant process for public institutions such as libraries, municipalities, workforce training organizations and nonprofits.

Some of the community institutions approved for laptops Thursday include the Literacy Council of Reading-Berks, Inc. in Berks County, which will receive 100 laptops; the J. Herman Bosler Memorial Library in Cumberland County, which will receive 30 laptops; and the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh in Allegheny County which will receive 200 laptops. A full list of approvals was published on the PBDA website.

The PBDA will also partner with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry and PA CareerLink to introduce organizations participating in the Digital Connectivity Technology Program to SkillUp PA, which offers no-cost online job skills training to the public. The SkillUp courses include computer, digital skills, Microsoft Office, QuickBooks and IT courses. SkillUp participants can also pursue industry-recognized credentials in areas such as CompTIA, cybersecurity, project management, human resources and Microsoft Office.

“All Pennsylvanians deserve access to reliable, high-speed internet and a chance to compete for a good-paying job,” Department of Labor and Industry Secretary Nancy Walker said in the release. “By providing Pennsylvania workers with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed in today’s workforce, we not only strengthen our communities, but are one step closer to closing the digital divide in Pennsylvania.”

A second round of laptop applications through the Digital Connectivity Technology Program is slated to open next year.