More than 300,000 households in rural Ohio have no broadband access at all. An additional 2.1 million households are served by only a single broadband provider, meaning that more than half of all Ohio households either have no provider choice or no access at all. In Appalachia, the Digital Divide is even more pronounced, where nearly 1 in 4 households have no access beyond costly satellite and slow dial-up service.
The bi-partisan bill, introduced by Representatives Ryan Smith (R-Dist. 93) and Jack Cera (D-Dist. 96), seeks to create a $50 million per annum grant program for broadband expansion projects and programs throughout Ohio using existing funding through the Ohio Third Frontier bond revenue. This bill would create the Ohio Broadband Development Grant Program, allocating $100 million in voter-approved Third Frontier funds towards making grant funding available for 2019 & 2020.
None is available.
Recipients of a grant under the Ohio broadband development grant program shall use the funds for the construction of infrastructure to provide broadband service to unserved areas. Construction shall include the acquisition and installation of new middle-mile or last-mile infrastructure. Construction may also include any of the following: obtaining construction permits, construction of facilities, purchasing equipment, and installation and testing of the broadband service.
Eligible applicants are Ohio private businesses, political subdivisions, nonprofit entities, and co-ops.
Interested applicants can track the progress of House Bill OH HB190 at https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA133-HB-190.
The agency would award grants of up to $5 million. Grant amounts awarded under section 122.975 of the Revised Code shall not exceed the lesser of: