TREVOSE, PA — Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCSA) has completed a network expansion in Hopewell and Maurice River townships that brings high-speed broadband to nearly 350 previously unconnected rural homes and businesses in Cumberland County, capping a multi-year effort built on public-private partnerships.
The project connected the final pockets of unserved residents through agreements between Comcast and the township committees, which sought universal broadband coverage as a foundation for economic participation, education, and remote work.
“Every resident, farm and small business in our township now has a level playing field, with access to high-speed Internet for work, school, family, friends and entertainment,” said Hopewell Township Mayor Robin Freitag, calling the effort the result of more than a decade of work by township leaders. She said the partnership with Comcast was a first-of-its-kind model in New Jersey that delivered access quickly and cost-effectively.
Comcast said the expansion extends its fiber-rich network to the last unserved addresses in both towns, allowing residents and businesses to participate fully in the digital economy. Dan Bonelli, senior vice president for Comcast’s Freedom Region, said the outcome reflected close coordination between local officials and the company. He said the collaboration delivered “a fast and economical solution” for residents who had long lacked reliable connectivity.
Maurice River Township Mayor Ken Whildin said the town leveraged American Rescue Plan funds and a competitive request-for-proposals process to reach underserved areas. He said universal broadband access is critical for families working remotely, students learning online, and small businesses competing beyond local markets.
Residents in the newly connected areas have been notified that they are eligible for service, and Comcast said sign-ups are now available through its Xfinity channels and local retail locations.
The company said the buildout supports a broader community strategy that includes affordability and adoption efforts such as Internet Essentials, which provides low-cost broadband options for eligible households, as well as investments in digital skills training and public WiFi access points.
Comcast said the Cumberland County expansion demonstrates how targeted public-private partnerships can close remaining rural connectivity gaps and serve as a template for other communities seeking to extend broadband where traditional economics have fallen short.
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