LEBANON, Pa (WHTM)- Many people spend their day connected to the internet and without it, it’s difficult to get work done. From education to telehealth, more people are relying on strong broadband access, but not everyone has it.

“Unfortunately, there’s a lot of people still today that don’t have internet access,” said Tim Beiler, co-founder & CEO of Upward Broadband.

Lancaster-based and family-owned high-speed internet provider Upward Broadband is getting nearly $1.5 million in grant funding to improve broadband access in parts of Lebanon and Dauphin Counties. The funding is for the infrastructure needed to get internet access to homes and businesses.

“In Lebanon County, we should have fairly broad coverage from this, said Beiler. “For Dauphin County, coverage will be focused in the southeastern corner.”

“Broadband has become really important to all of our citizens,” said Jo Ellen Litz, Lebanon County Commissioner.

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In August, Lebanon County Commissioners voted to approve an application with Upward Broadband. Commissioner Litz says there are many rural areas in the county.

“But also, the city of Lebanon, believe it or not, are underserved,” said Litz. “I think overall in the county, 1 in 4 households are lacking broadband access.”

The nearly $1.5 million is part of a $204 million investment in the Broadband Infrastructure Program, awarding money to 53 projects in 42 counties across the Commonwealth that will bring high-speed internet to over 100,000 Pennsylvanians.

“Suddenly it’s not just entertainment, it actually may give you the ability to keep your job or to get a job, it’s access to health care, it’s children’s schooling, it’s connection with family members and loved ones,” said Beiler.

Upward Broadband expects service to start in 2025.

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