Ohio

Ohio launches major broadband expansion to connect rural communities

Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik announced a substantial $50 million state investment in a broadband expansion project that aims to significantly enhance internet coverage in Southwest Ohio. This initiative is set to impact around 38,000 addressable locations, benefiting 13,000 households and over 30,000 people currently without service.

The project, facilitated by BroadbandOhio in partnership with altafiber, is part of the Multi-County Last Mile Fiber Build Pilot program, which targets Adams, Brown, and Clermont counties. The initiative will extend high-speed, affordable internet access to every unserved and underserved address in these counties, thus bridging the digital divide in this rural region.

“My administration is committed to ensuring that all Ohioans, no matter where they live, have access to dependable, affordable high-speed internet,” Governor DeWine emphasized. “In today’s world, broadband access is an absolute necessity, and we’re not going to leave our rural communities behind.”

Lt. Governor Husted highlighted the project’s potential to open up new economic, educational, and healthcare opportunities for residents in the targeted counties. He noted that prior to this initiative, there was no viable plan to expand internet access in these areas.

The project will involve the design, construction, and installation of necessary equipment and infrastructure to extend altafiber’s existing fiber optic network. This expansion will cover approximately 38,000 single-family and multi-dwelling unit locations, with 13,263 of these being unserved or underserved.

Once the buildout is completed, the project will provide altafiber’s high-speed fiber-based network to both residents and businesses in the area, delivering multi-gig speeds. Specifically, the initiative will improve internet capabilities for 3,606 unserved and 3,390 underserved addresses in Adams County, 3,465 unserved and 1,753 underserved addresses in Brown County, and 766 unserved and 283 underserved addresses in Clermont County.

“Through this transformational, multi-county project, we’re taking a major step closer to ending the digital divide across Ohio,” said Director Mihalik. She highlighted the project’s potential to enhance connectivity for families, enable telehealth consultations, and assist job seekers in these counties, thereby reinforcing Ohio’s reputation as a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

The total project cost is $110 million, with BroadbandOhio providing $50 million and altafiber investing $60 million. The state’s portion of the funding comes from the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Capital Projects Fund.

The project timeline stipulates that the buildout for Brown and Clermont counties, funded by BroadbandOhio, must be completed by December 31, 2026. The Adams County buildout, funded through altafiber’s investment, is expected to be completed within one year following the Brown and Clermont counties project.

“Broadband fiber-to-the-home connectivity is essential for accessing educational, healthcare, and employment opportunities,” said Leigh Fox, President and CEO of altafiber. He also emphasized the role of broadband as an important economic development tool for attracting and retaining job-creating businesses.

This partnership between the State of Ohio and altafiber marks a significant advancement towards digital equity in Adams County, Brown County, and Clermont County, promising lasting benefits for the communities involved.

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