State Investing $94.5 Million to Expand Broadband Access in 23 Ohio Counties

Funding through ORBEG, Pole Replacement programs to benefit various communities, thousands of households

(COLUMBUS, Ohio)- Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik today announced a state investment of $94.5 million that will provide 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 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 with speeds of at least 100/100 Mbps to households upon project completion.

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

"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 systems, which currently lack access to high-speed internet," said Lt. Governor Husted. "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."

Time Warner Cable Midwest was awarded $83,141,280 for five projects, including:

• $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

• $13,476,757 to provide access to 5,036 households in Ashtabula, Columbiana, Portage, and Trumbull counties

For each of Time Warner Cable Midwest's projects, the residents impacted will have access to reliable high-speed internet using Fiber-to-the-Premises (FTTP) 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, serving Allen, Ashtabula, Columbiana, Knox, Mahoning, Shelby, and Trumbull counties. Through the Brightspeed project, those impacted will have access to fiber-based broadband up to 1 gigabyte per second symmetrical speeds to every household.

This round of ORBEG awards is funded through the American Rescue Plan Act.

"We hear from local leaders and residents every day about how important it is that they get connected," said Director Mihalik. "Through this funding, we're moving 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.

MORE: Full List of Projects

In March 2022, BroadbandOhio awarded more than $232 million in grants to 11 internet service providers for the first round of the ORBEG program. The 33 awards announced during that round provided high-speed internet access to more than 43,000 households.

The grants awarded today are a key component of the DeWine-Husted Administration's comprehensive Broadband Strategy that aims to bring high-speed internet across the state.

POLE REPLACEMENT & UNDERGROUNDING

In addition to the latest funding announced through 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 undergroundings serving 811 locations in Gallia and Lawrence counties.

Established through House Bill 33 of the 135th General Assembly, the Pole Replacement and Undergrounding program will reimburse qualifying applicants an amount equal to the lesser of $7,500 or 75 percent of the total amount paid by the applicant for each pole replaced when bringing service to an unserved area of Ohio.

"The Ohio House has long-championed broadband access," said Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens. "Today's announcement is yet another important step toward ensuring that all Ohioans regardless of zip code, have access to high-speed internet."

"Access to top quality internet is not a luxury, it is a necessity for anyone to succeed in our modern world," said Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman. "Students, families, and businesses in Ohio all need the high quality of broadband internet in order to compete and succeed in the 21st Century. The Ohio Senate applauds the Ohio Department of Development for making this crucial investment in our future, one that will pay off for generations to come."

The program allocated $50 million to reimburse qualifying internet service providers for the costs of necessary pole replacements and undergrounding projects that have taken place since July 1, 2023. It will continue to reimburse providers for qualifying infrastructure costs until the exhaustion of funding or by June 1, 2029.

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