OHIO’S APPALACHIAN COMMUNITIES TO RECEIVE PLANNING ASSISTANCE TO HELP IMPLEMENT LOCAL BROADBAND NETWORKS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 3, 2004

Columbus, OH -- State Development Director Bruce Johnson today announced an initiative to help up to five Ohio Appalachian communities plan for local broadband service. The availability of broadband service is a critical consideration to companies deciding to expand or locate in a particular area.

“The availability of affordable broadband can help local communities retain current businesses and compete for new ones,” said Johnson. “In today’s business world, high-speed telecommunications is a staple request of site selection professionals and companies looking to relocate or expand.”

The Rural Ohio Technology Infrastructure Group, a collaboration of public and private agencies dedicated to bringing high-speed telecommunications services to remote, rural areas of Ohio, will provide for a consultant to assist up to five communities or community clusters in preparing the preliminary plans and assessments necessary to implement local broadband networks. The project, known as the “Appalachian Regional Telecommunications Planning Program,” is one of many recommendations that resulted from the Access Appalachia study of the availability and reliability of broadband services throughout Ohio’s Appalachian region. Funding for the planning program is coming from the Appalachian Regional Commission, a state and federal organization created by Congress in 1965.

“A key ingredient to the success of these programs is the ability for community leaders and stakeholders to really grab hold of this initiative and drive it through to completion,” said Jennifer Simon, interim director of the Governor’s Office of Appalachia (GOA). “We encourage these groups to work through this process to make widespread broadband service available to all who could benefit.” The GOA is a division of the Ohio Department of Development and is a member of the Technology Infrastructure Group.

A handbook on how to take advantage of this program was sent recently to local government and economic development officials within the Appalachian region. Interested communities must submit notices of intent to the GOA. Application materials are available at appalachianohio.com/goa. For more information on the program, officials can contact the GOA at (614) 644-9228.

The GOA facilitates economic and community development in the 29 Appalachian counties of Ohio. The Office, involved with both short- and long-term planning, also serves as an advocate for the region by developing policy and promoting specific projects and proposals that originate from the regions residents.