Alleghenies Broadband Inc is a 501(c) nonprofit organization organized under the Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission. The group is now seeking to upgrade broadband in the region, and this week they asked Altoona City Council to set aside about $5.8 million from its American Rescue Plan allocation to help get the job done. The $5.8 Million would be about 15 percent of the $39 million the city expects to get from the federal government. While city council made no immediate commitment, they did indicate that they would consider the request, after viewing a map that Alleghenies Broadband will provide, showing the current status of broadband service in the city. If the plan moves forward, it would concentrate on upgrading service in areas that are unserved, underserved, or have intermittent service. Much of that would include mainly rural areas, but some areas within the city would also qualify.
