Grant Application Gets County Closer to More Broadband Access
Underserved areas in Geauga County are about to get more broadband support after Geauga County Commissioners passed a resolution Dec. 19 in support of Charter Communications applying for a broadband expansion grant.
Underserved areas in Geauga County are about to get more broadband support after Geauga County Commissioners passed a resolution Dec. 19 in support of Charter Communications applying for a broadband expansion grant.
Charter Communications is planning to invest its own capital and apply for round two of the Ohio Residential Broadband Expansion Grant Program for a project targeting previously unserved locations in Geauga County.
“Having a resolution from the county will give them additional points towards their application,” Commissioners Clerk Christine Blair said.
The ORBEG is a competitive grant program designed to fund last-mile broadband infrastructure projects in rural areas currently lacking access to reliable, high-speed internet, according BroadbandOhio.
The program was created in House Bill 2 of the 134th General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Mike DeWine on May 17, 2021.
Charter Communications is currently investing $1.25 billion in Ohio through its companywide network evolution project and broadband expansion commitments to continue increasing the speeds they offer and adding new locations that can subscribe to their services, according to the resolution.
“Investments in high-speed broadband infrastructure are vital to connect rural Ohio’s unserved and underserved residential locations, help close the digital divide, create economic opportunity and enhance long-term growth,” the resolution said. “High-speed internet enhances opportunity in the modern economy for unserved households across Ohio and Geauga County by enabling greater access to education, employment, healthcare and civic engagement.”
Commissioner Tim Lennon broadband access has been a long-time issue for mainly rural areas in the county that have to no service.
“Who knows what the future may hold as far as technology and someday, we may not need the infrastructure they are talking about — that is a concern. But, as of right now, I think it’s a utility that is just as important in today’s day and age,” Lennon said. “I think this would be a positive for Geauga County if they were to invest back into us.”
