RIDGWAY — The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has announced that a $150,000 grant was awarded to North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission and Northwest Regional Planning Commission to supplement its ongoing high-speed internet access efforts to four rural areas.

The ARC grant will help fund wireless networks in Erie, Venango, Clearfield and McKean counties where it’s not financially feasible for internet service providers to reach on their own.

James Chorney, North Central’s executive director, said this is a critical service needed especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are thankful this grant award comes during the time when it is most needed, with many people working from home, and businesses needing this essential internet service,” Chorney said. “That’s why we’re here — to meet businesses and communities’ needs through every type of economic reality.”

Edward Matts, North Central’s director of information systems, said reducing the cost of providing broadband helps close the gaps for rural areas.

Based on meetings with counties, Federal Communications Commission data and North Central’s broadband survey, the target areas for the wireless networks include Lumber City in Clearfield County, southern Eldred in McKean County, the Union City area in Erie County, and President in Venango County.

The project will build internet service to these areas with speeds of 25/3. This will impact 100 residential users and 25 businesses. These projects will be starting early this summer.