Specific powers and duties

(a) Single point of contact.--The authority shall aim to serve as a single point of contact for entities wishing to engage in broadband development and deployment in this Commonwealth, including coordination of public and private efforts to avoid overbuild in any given geographic area and to efficiently utilize existing infrastructure. (b) Funding resource base.--In addition to providing the financial assistance authorized by this chapter to support broadband deployment, the authority shall identify and promote opportunities to access Federal funding, nongovernmental organization funding and other funding opportunities to eliminate duplicative funding requests and synthesize multiple-provider joint efforts in any given geographic area. (c) Cooperation of other Commonwealth entities.--The authority shall maintain a centralized database of all broadband deployment activities occurring within Commonwealth agencies and departments. All Commonwealth agencies and departments charged with specific aspects of broadband development and deployment shall communicate and cooperate with the authority regarding the authority's development and maintenance of the centralized database to avoid duplication of efforts as well as provide consultation on their respective areas of expertise. (d) Educational materials.--The authority may develop educational materials and engage in public information campaigns to encourage adoption of broadband where currently available and increase consumer understanding of the need for broadband access for all Commonwealth residents. (e) Municipal best practices.--The authority may develop best practices for municipalities in order to expedite broadband development and deployment. (f) Letters of intent and proposals.--The authority shall be responsible for drafting and filing all letters of intent, initial and final proposals or other correspondence as required to maximize access to Federal funding for broadband development and deployment. (g) Broadband plan.--The authority shall develop a Statewide broadband plan in collaboration with local and regional entities to advance broadband buildout, including equitable access and digital literacy components, for the benefit of residents of this Commonwealth and as necessary to facilitate access of applicants to funding opportunities from the Federal Government. The Statewide broadband plan shall also incorporate opportunities to utilize Commonwealth assets to the extent practicable. The Statewide broadband plan shall inure as expeditiously as possible and no later than one year from the effective date of this section. A political subdivision shall have the opportunity to comment upon an initial Statewide broadband plan proposal of the authority.