Geisinger, a member of the Healthcare Anchor Network, will provide a $300,000 forgivable, interest-free loan to fund fully the start of a new groundbreaking high-speed broadband internet access project which is expected to serve about 90 percent of Montour County, Pennsylvania’s population. The funding will build the infrastructure for internet service in the area:
“This week, Geisinger and Driving Real Innovation for a Vibrant Economy — DRIVE, the economic development entity for Montour and Columbia counties — announced a partnership to put broadband into 90 percent of homes in the county and neighboring areas.
“This has never been done before around here,” DRIVE executive director Jennifer Wakeman said. “I am over the moon about this. It’s very exciting. This is as important as water and sewer and good electrical services when companies look to come here.”
“Geisinger has actively supported the communities we serve since our founding with both health care services and broader programs,” said Timothy Fitzgerald, vice president of treasury and financial systems for Geisinger. “We know that healthy economies support healthier communities and this project does just that. Among other benefits, it will allow providers and patients to better connect remotely to health services and address many social determinants of health.”