Beaver County News

The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) has announced a significant grant award to the B.F. Jones Memorial Library in Beaver County. The library will receive $250,975 to enhance internet access for the community, as confirmed by Sen. Elder Vogel, Jr.

“Libraries serve as a critical public resource in our communities for our residents to access knowledge via the internet, books, tapes, etc., as well as remain connected to others,” stated Vogel. “I am pleased to see that B.F Jones Memorial Library will benefit from this substantial funding and continue to be a valuable asset in Beaver County.”

The funds are earmarked for renovations at the library, ensuring uninterrupted service delivery including education programs, community meetings and events, workforce development support, and social services access.

This grant is part of a larger initiative funded through the Multi-Purpose Community Facilities Program. The program is supported by federal resources and aims to improve high-speed broadband access across essential community services such as work, education, and health monitoring.

As part of its mandate for transparency and accountability, PBDA requires recipients like B.F. Jones Memorial Library to submit quarterly and annual reports on project progress and adherence to federal standards. A comprehensive final report must be submitted within three months after project completion detailing outcomes and sustainability efforts before releasing the final 10% of funding.

This investment aligns with Pennsylvania’s broader goals of enhancing community infrastructure and creating accessible public spaces that support work, education, and health needs.