The Cambria County Library is preparing for several renovation projects that will improve facilities and expand internet access. The upgrades are made possible with the recent awarding of over 2 million dollars in grant funding.

“It’s hard to even put into words, it’s so exciting,” library Executive Director Ashley Flynn said. “We know how impactful this money will be for us and in turn for our community.”

The Community Foundation for the Alleghenies has awarded the library a $75,000 grant for the replacement of carpeting on the library’s third floor.

The library also received a $2 million dollar allocation of a high-speed internet investment grant to improve broadband access in Johnstown. Funding will be used to renovate the library’s first floor to provide meeting rooms, focus rooms, and study areas with broadband internet access. “We have been working very hard at modernizing our building, making sure the infrastructure is sound and the facility works for our modern community,” Flynn said, adding that this project is part of that effort. The award is part of a total of $45 million approved statewide by the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority through the Multi-Purpose Community Facilities Program that is funded under the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund established by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

We’re thrilled that this funding will propel our ongoing modernization efforts to create a vibrant community hub in downtown Johnstown.