Lack of broadband access is leaving many Ohioans behind

The following was published in the Chillicothe Gazette on November 8, 2020 In my time as the President/CEO of the Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce, I have seen how important it is for employers to be able to hire the skilled workers they need to help their organizations and our community grow. As a member of ReadyNation, I am part …

LT. GOVERNOR HUSTED ANNOUNCES NEXT STEPS TO EXPAND BROADBAND

The following article was published by the Ohio LT. Governors office on September 15, 2020. Broadband Connectivity Grant The K-12 Broadband Connectivity Grant was created to allocate CARES Act funding to help students gain internet access.  Lt. Governor Husted recently announced that over 900 grant requests were approved. More than 121,000 students are expected to gain high speed internet devices in …

Ohio Senators Back Legislation To Expand Broadband Internet Access

The following was published by WOSU Radio on July 7, 2020 Ohio’s U.S. Senators are calling on Congress to expand broadband around the country, noting the growing importance the internet has played during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) are backing a piece of legislation that would build-up internet access in underserved areas like …

Disconnected During a Crisis: Life in Dayton Region Without Internet

The following was published by the Dayton Daily News on April 8, 2020 by Cornelius Frolik  An estimated one in six households in the Dayton region do not have internet service during a global pandemic when people are depending on the web like never before. With Ohioans ordered to shelter in place to slow the spread of COVID-19, residents with …

Keeping Students Connected During the Coronavirus Outbreak

Bowling Green, Ky. (April 7, 2020) – In today’s technology age, the internet is used for much more than just connecting with friends and family; it helps us pay our bills, stay up to date with current news, apply for jobs, and even get an education. Due to the coronavirus outbreak, the internet is now a necessity for many people to …

VIDEO: Navigating and Applying for Funding Earmarked for Rural Broadband Expansion 

Athens, OH (February 25, 2020) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is taking applications for the second round of funding for rural broadband expansion through its $550 million ReConnect Program. Ohio University and Connected Nation Ohio hosted a webinar yesterday to help you understand how this program can help connect more residents, businesses, and communities in your area. It features a …

State Representative Calls Broadband Access the “Number One Issue among all Constituents”

Circleville, OH. (February 24, 2020) – State Representative Gary Scherer (R-Dist. 92) recently hosted a public meeting in Circleville to discuss broadband coverage in his district. “I was at one of the earlier Connected Nation Ohio Broadband Forums. I knew that we needed to get this to the 92nd house district,” Rep. Scherer said. “Broadband access is a number one …

USDA Officials Explain Federal Funding for Rural Broadband, Will Answer Questions from Public, Local Organizations

Athens, OH (February 20, 2020) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is now taking applications for the second round of $550 million in ReConnect Program loan and grant funding for rural broadband expansion.  That window closes March 16. Ohio University and Connected Nation Ohio (CN Ohio) are working in partnership to help communities understand how to leverage this program to connect more …

Regional Broadband Forums: Improving Internet Access in Ohio

Public Asked to Provide Input on Broadband Maps Jackson OH (February 3, 2020) – Connected Nation Ohio’s (CN Ohio) staff hosted seven broadband forums across the state to review recently updated broadband coverage maps. CN Ohio is looking for feedback on the maps, broadband availability issues, FCC mapping data, survey results, and much more. If you did not get to attend one …