Biden in W.Pa. to discuss broadband Internet access for rural areas as part of stimulus plan

Biden in W.Pa. to discuss rural broadband access

ERIE, Pa. — Vice President Joe Biden is scheduled to be in northwestern Pennsylvania to discuss ways federal stimulus funding can be used to expand broadband access to the Internet for rural areas that aren’t served by faster connections.

The federal economic recovery act package includes $7.2 billion to expand broadband. President Barack Obama has made improving broadband access part of his objective for boosting the economy by improving the nation’s infrastructure.

Biden will speak Wednesday afternoon at Seneca High School near Erie. He’ll be joined by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, U.S. Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper, D-Pa., and others.