Funding Awarded for High-speed Internet Projects in the Valley

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The state has awarded $94.5 million in funding to two internet service providers for six high-speed internet projects serving 23 counties, including Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana.

As part of the second round of the Ohio Residential Broadband Expansion Grant program, the Broadband Expansion Authority authorized BroadbandOhio to provide funding to Time Warner Cable Midwest and Brightspeed.

The program is designed to provide internet service with speeds of at least 100/100 Mbps to households. The funding announced Wednesday will provide high-speed internet access to more than 35,000 households across the state, according to a news release.

“Having reliable, high-speed internet is an essential part of our world today,” Gov. Mike DeWine said. “Providing Ohio’s unserved areas with dependable, affordable broadband access will enhance economic growth and create new opportunities where they didn’t previously exist.” 

Time Warner Cable Midwest was awarded $83,141,280 for five projects, including $13,476,757 to provide access to 5,036 households in Trumbull, Columbiana, Ashtabula and Portage counties. The other projects are:

• $19,635,616 to provide access to 7,275 households in Fulton and Henry counties.
• $17,471,275 to provide access to 6,645 households in Auglaize, Butler, Logan, Montgomery and Preble counties.
• $17,269,871 to provide access to 6,053 households in Defiance and Williams counties.
• $15,287,761 to provide access to 5,289 households in Ashland, Erie, Geauga, Lorain, Lucas and Wood counties.

For each of Time Warner Cable Midwest’s projects, residents will have access to high-speed internet using Fiber-to-the-Premises technology capable of delivering 1 gigabit symmetrical speeds. 

Brightspeed was awarded $11,358,720 for one project that will provide access to 5,053 households in Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana, Allen, Ashtabula, Knox and Shelby counties. 

Through the Brightspeed project, residents will have access to fiber-based broadband up to 1 gigabyte per second symmetrical speeds. 

“With this action today, we are expanding the opportunity for many people in these 23 counties to participate in the modern economy, education and health care systems, which currently lack access to high-speed internet,” Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said. “Having grown up in rural Ohio, I know firsthand how limited technology access can make people feel left behind when it comes to opportunities. We are changing that in Ohio.”

Lydia Mihalik, Ohio Department of Development director, said the funding is “another step closer to ending the digital divide across the state and empowering every Ohioan with the high-speed capabilities they need to prosper and thrive.”

As part of the grant process, 12 internet service providers also committed to independently fund 51 additional projects within two years to serve 10,000 households in 25 additional counties. 

In addition to the funding announced Wednesday, BroadbandOhio also 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 undergroundings serving 811 locations in Gallia and Lawrence counties.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.