(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik today announced a $94.5 million state investment to bring affordable high-speed internet access to more than 35,000 households across the state.
As part of the second round of the Ohio Residential Broadband Expansion Grant (ORBEG) program, the Broadband Expansion Authority has authorized BroadbandOhio to provide funding to two Internet service providers, Time Warner Cable Midwest and Brightspeed, for six projects serving 23 counties. The program is designed to provide Internet service to households at speeds of at least 100/100 Mbps upon project completion.
“Reliable, high-speed internet is an essential part of our world today,” said Governor DeWine. “Providing Ohio’s unserved areas with reliable, affordable broadband access will spur economic growth and create new opportunities where they didn’t exist before.” “With this action today, we are expanding the opportunity for many people in these 23 counties to participate in the modern economy, education and healthcare system where there is currently no access to high-speed internet,” said Lt. Governor Husted. “Having grown up in rural Ohio, I know firsthand how limited access to technology can leave people feeling disadvantaged in terms of opportunity. We’re changing that in Ohio.”
Time Warner Cable Midwest received $83,141,280 for five projects, including:
- $19,635,616 for access to 7,275 households in Fulton and Henry counties
- US$17,471,275 for access to 6,645 households in AuglaizeServant, LoganMontgomery and Preble County
- $17,269,871 for access to 6,053 households in Defiance and Williams counties
- $15,287,761 for access to 5,289 households in Ashland, Erie, Geauga, Lorain, Lucas and Wood counties
- $13,476,757 for access to 5,036 households in Ashtabula, Columbiana, Portage and Trumbull counties
Each Time Warner Cable Midwest project will provide affected residents with access to reliable, high-speed internet using fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) technology, which can deliver symmetrical speeds of one gigabit.
Brightspeed received $11,358,720 for a project that provided 5,053 households with access to AllAshtabula, Columbiana, Knox, Mahoning, Shelbyand Trumbull County.
The Brightspeed project provides those affected with access to fibre-optic broadband with up to 1 gigabyte per second symmetrical speed for every household.
This round of ORBEG awards is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act.
“We hear every day from local leaders and residents about the importance of being connected,” said Director Mihalik. “With this funding, we are one step closer to closing the digital divide across the state and giving every Ohioan the high-speed connections they need to succeed and thrive.”
As part of the grant process, 12 Internet service providers also committed to independently finance 51 additional projects within two years to serve 10,000 households in 25 additional counties.
In March 2022, BroadbandOhio awarded over $232 million in grants to 11 internet service providers for the first round of the ORBEG program. The 33 grants announced in this round provided high-speed internet access to more than 43,000 households.
The grants awarded today are an important part of the DeWine-Husted administration’s comprehensive broadband strategy, which aims to provide high-speed internet throughout the state.
MAST REPLACEMENT & UNDERGROUNDING
In addition to the recent funding announced by ORBEG, BroadbandOhio announced the release of up to $738,000 to three internet providers through the Broadband Pole Replacement and Undergrounding program.
South Central Power has requested $348,230.10 for 64 poles serving 13,615 locations in Adams, Brown Clermont, Fayette, Highland, Pike Ross and Scioto counties. Charter has requested $238,200 for 114 poles serving Champaign and Shelby counties. JB Nets has requested $151,689.80 for 44 poles and 32 underground lines serving 811 locations in Gallia and Lawrence counties.
The Pole Replacement and Relocation Program, created by House Bill 33 of the 135th General Assembly, reimburses eligible applicants an amount equal to $7,500 or 75 percent of the total amount the applicant paid for each pole replaced when placing in service an unserved area of Ohio (whichever is less).
“The Ohio House of Representatives has long been committed to broadband access,” said Jason Stephens, Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives. “Today’s announcement is another important step to ensure that all Ohioans have access to high-speed internet, regardless of their zip code.”
“Access to high-quality internet is not a luxury, but a necessity for anyone who wants to succeed in our modern world,” said Matt Huffman, President of the Ohio Senate. “Ohio students, families and businesses all need the high quality of broadband internet to compete and succeed in the 21st century. The Ohio Senate commends the Ohio Department of Development for making this important investment in our future that will pay dividends for generations to come.”
The program provides $50 million to reimburse eligible internet service providers for the cost of necessary pole replacement and underground relocation projects completed since July 1, 2023. Providers will continue to receive reimbursements for eligible infrastructure costs until funds are exhausted or June 1, 2029.
