Public Hearing on Rural Broadband Development
and Policy Set for May 20

View Agenda and Testimony

View Video Recording

View Testimony Highlights

HARRISBURG - The Center for Rural Pennsylvania Board of Directors, chaired by Sen. Gene Yaw, will hold a public hearing on Friday, May 20 at the Penn Wells Hotel in Wellsboro beginning at 9 a.m. to learn more about broadband development in rural Pennsylvania. The hearing will also be held via Zoom.

"The Center has been aware of the importance and lack of broadband across Pennsylvania for decades," Sen. Yaw said. "This hearing will help us learn more about the most recent developments to expand broadband in rural Pennsylvania, and to hear from those who can address the many issues and opportunities related to broadband internet service in Pennsylvania."

Presenters scheduled for the public hearing are: Brandon Carson, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority; Erin Wachter, Deputy Secretary of Policy and Planning, Governor's Policy Office; Todd L. Eachus, President, Broadband Communications Association of Pennsylvania; Joseph Lorah, Director of Government and Public Affairs, Blue Ridge; Barbara Burba, President, PA Wireless Association; Thomas Musgrove, Government Affairs Manager, Crown Castle; Jason Bottiglieri, Superintendent, Wyalusing Area School District; Rachel Hauser, Director of Regulatory Affairs & Economic Development, Tri-Co Connections; Kristin Hamilton, Executive Director, Develop Tioga; Robert Veilleux, McKean County Economic Development Liaison; Jeremy Jurick, Vice President, National Broadband Services Director, Michael Baker International; Thomas Beresnyak, Client Relationship Manager, and Harry Crissy, Extension Educator, Penn State Extension; Sascha Meinrath, Palmer Chair of Technology, Pennsylvania State University; Robert Postal, Mifflin County Commissioner; Michael Pipe, Centre County Commissioner; and Erick Coolidge, Tioga County Commissioner.

In addition to Sen. Yaw, Center Board members are: Board Vice Chairman Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski; Board Secretary Dr. Nancy Falvo, Clarion University of Pennsylvania; Board Treasurer Stephen Brame, Governor's representative; Sen. Katie Muth; Rep. Dan Moul; Richard Esch, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford and Titusville; Dr. Timothy Kelsey, Pennsylvania State University; Shannon Munro, Pennsylvania College of Technology; Dr. Charles Patterson, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania; Susan Snelick, Northern Pennsylvania Regional College; and Darrin Youker, Governor's representative.

The public hearing will be held at the Penn Wells Hotel, 62 Main St., Wellsboro, PA 16901, and via Zoom. Zoom attendees are asked to register in advance here .

The Center for Rural Pennsylvania is a bipartisan, bicameral legislative agency that serves as a resource for rural policy within the Pennsylvania General Assembly. The Center works with the legislature, educators, state and federal executive branch agencies, and national, statewide, regional and local organizations to maximize resources and strategies that can better serve Pennsylvania's nearly 3.4 million rural residents.