BroadbandOhio will support the launch of a citywide broadband network with a $10 million grant.





Gov Lt Gov Dev Masthead




*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:*
January 9, 2024




*MEDIA CONTACTS:
*Dan Tierney: 614-644-0957
Jill Del Greco: 614-644-0957
Hayley Carducci (LG): 614-404-8616






Governor DeWine, Lt. Governor Husted Announce
Support for Citywide Broadband Expansion in Cleveland

"BroadbandOhio to Support Launch of Citywide Broadband Network with $10 Million Grant"

(CLEVELAND, Ohio)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted joined Cleveland Mayor Justin M. Bibb, Cleveland City Council President Blaine Griffin, and DigitalC CEO Joshua Edmonds this afternoon to announce an historic investment in a large-scale broadband expansion project to make high-speed, dependable internet more accessible and affordable for the entire city of Cleveland. 

Connecting Cleveland [ [link removed] ]

The Ohio Department of Development's BroadbandOhio [ [link removed] ] is partnering with the city of Cleveland and Cleveland-based nonprofit DigitalC to create a broadband network that will offer high-speed, low-cost internet service across Cleveland, which was identified as the worst-connected large city in 2019 by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance [ [link removed] ]. 

"In a world where the internet has become nearly as essential as electricity, we know how important it is that our citizens are connected,” said Governor DeWine. “We are committed to closing the digital divide in Ohio – not just in rural parts of the state, but also right here in urban centers like Cleveland where affordability can be more of an obstacle than access.” 

BroadbandOhio is supplying $10 million in grant funding for the project, while the city of Cleveland is providing up to $20 million in financial support. Contributions from the Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Supporting Foundation, the David and Inez Myers Foundation, and other sources will also aid the project, which has an estimated total cost of $53 million. 

“If we want all Ohioans to participate in the modern economy, education, and healthcare systems, then we need to make sure that they have access to affordable, high-speed Internet,” said Lt. Governor Husted. “While many underserved communities are in rural Ohio, Cleveland is an example of an underserved urban community. Through this investment, we hope to improve lives by connecting people to important services and opportunities.”

DigitalC plans to officially break ground on the citywide broadband expansion project this month and is aiming for the entirety of Cleveland's 170,000 households to have access to low-cost broadband by the middle of next year. The price to access the network will be locked in at just $18 per month for at least 10 years, only allowing for changes due to inflation after the fifth year.

“We all know high-speed internet is simply a requirement to live, work, and play in the world today.  This incredible investment and partnership from the State will help us accomplish our vision of ensuring every single Clevelander will have access to an affordable, powerful internet plan.  It doesn’t matter what neighborhood you are in or how much money you make – if you live in Cleveland, you will be able to use this necessary utility for only $18 per month,” said Mayor Bibb. “That’s $216 per year – a perfect fit synonymous to the area code of Clevelanders.”

"Investing in the infrastructure that connects our communities is an investment in the hopes and dreams of every Cleveland resident," said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development. "This funding will play a pivotal role in making high-speed internet accessible to all, fostering inclusivity and providing more opportunities for growth in this great city."

In addition to providing low-cost internet service, DigitalC will also work to encourage  Cleveland residents to adopt and use broadband by offering basic coaching and digital literacy training.  

"This landmark investment underscores Ohio’s unwavering dedication to ensure every resident has access to fully participate in the digital world without barriers," said Edmonds. "We are deeply appreciative of this transformative grant from BroadbandOhio; this support, in conjunction with trailblazing contributions from a coalition of public, private, and philanthropic partners, will propel this state-of-the-art citywide network forward and ensure an equitable digital future for our city."

Since its inception in 2015, DigitalC has connected more than 2,000 Cleveland households to broadband internet, including the homes of more than 900 students in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District.

This project builds on the DeWine-Husted Administration’s efforts to expand and enhance broadband connectivity for families across northeast Ohio. Since BroadbandOhio was established more than three years ago, the state has dedicated $245 million to connecting more than 135,000 homes to reliable and affordable high-speed internet.  This funding includes nearly $10 million in grants awarded in July 2022 to help nonprofit PCs for People expand internet access to roughly 25,000 Cuyahoga County households. The project provided internet to these communities for $15 a month and, in some cases, free of charge. 



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*Additional Media Contacts:*

*Ohio Department of Development*
Mason Waldvogel, Deputy Chief, Media Relations
?? 614-961-1688
✉ [email protected]

*City of Cleveland
*Tyler Sinclair, Communications Strategist
?? 216-571-2887
✉ [email protected]

*DigitalC
*Valerie Jerome, Chief of Marketing and Communications
??440-665-5087 
✉ [email protected]

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