Connect Ohio Applauds Federal Grant to Nelsonville TV Cable Inc. for Broadband Expansion in Athens, Hocking and Morgan Counties
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 5, 2010
Contact: Chris Pugh
614-214-6755 or cpugh@connectohio.org
Nelsonville TV Cable Inc. received a federal Rural Utilities Services Broadband Initiatives Program grant Wednesday totaling $4,638,173 for broadband expansion in Athens, Hocking, and Morgan counties.
The grant will be used to bring broadband and digital cable service to the rural communities and is expected to benefit 3,500 people, 3,000 businesses, and 20 community institutions as well as create about 20 new jobs.
"This grant will bring many benefits to residents in these communities," Nelsonville TV Cable Inc. Manager Jim Edwards said. "We believe that in addition to bringing broadband services to about 6,500 residents and businesses there, the award will also provide future jobs and economic opportunities. These counties will have access to less expensive, higher speed Internet service. I also appreciate the work of Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, U.S. Representative Zack Space, State Representative Debbie Phillips and State Senator Jimmy Stewart."
The company has been in business since 1951 and serves about 2,300 broadband customers in Athens and Hocking counties. With the grant, Edwards said the company will also expand its services into Morgan County.
Nelsonville TV Cable Inc.’s award is part of the $7.2 billion made available by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 for the purpose of bringing broadband to populations in the United States underserved by broadband.
"We believe expanding high-speed Internet access is a key step to help improve the economies of Ohio's rural and underserved areas," Ohio Governor Ted Strickland said. "Today's award for these communities is another step toward our goal of total broadband access across the state."
Connect Ohio, a nonprofit, technology-neutral, public-private partnership that works with telecommunications providers and local government, business and community leaders in an effort to help extend affordable high-speed Internet service to every Ohio household, held local monthly meetings in Athens, Morgan, and Hocking counties as part of its eCommunity Strategies program, which covers all 88 Ohio counties. In addition, Connect Ohio consulted with Nelsonville on its broadband application.
"This funding will help these communities take advantage of the benefits available through access to high-speed Internet service," Connect Ohio Executive Director Tom Fritz said. "It highlights the importance of the broadband mapping and planning efforts Ohio has undertaken since 2007 as part of Governor Strickland’s Connect Ohio initiative.”
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For more information about what Connect Ohio is doing to accelerate technology in Ohio's communities, visit http://www.connectohio.org
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Related links:
Connect Ohio Facebook page
Connect Ohio Twitter page
August 5, 2010
Contact: Chris Pugh
614-214-6755 or cpugh@connectohio.org
Nelsonville TV Cable Inc. received a federal Rural Utilities Services Broadband Initiatives Program grant Wednesday totaling $4,638,173 for broadband expansion in Athens, Hocking, and Morgan counties.
The grant will be used to bring broadband and digital cable service to the rural communities and is expected to benefit 3,500 people, 3,000 businesses, and 20 community institutions as well as create about 20 new jobs.
"This grant will bring many benefits to residents in these communities," Nelsonville TV Cable Inc. Manager Jim Edwards said. "We believe that in addition to bringing broadband services to about 6,500 residents and businesses there, the award will also provide future jobs and economic opportunities. These counties will have access to less expensive, higher speed Internet service. I also appreciate the work of Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, U.S. Representative Zack Space, State Representative Debbie Phillips and State Senator Jimmy Stewart."
The company has been in business since 1951 and serves about 2,300 broadband customers in Athens and Hocking counties. With the grant, Edwards said the company will also expand its services into Morgan County.
Nelsonville TV Cable Inc.’s award is part of the $7.2 billion made available by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 for the purpose of bringing broadband to populations in the United States underserved by broadband.
"We believe expanding high-speed Internet access is a key step to help improve the economies of Ohio's rural and underserved areas," Ohio Governor Ted Strickland said. "Today's award for these communities is another step toward our goal of total broadband access across the state."
Connect Ohio, a nonprofit, technology-neutral, public-private partnership that works with telecommunications providers and local government, business and community leaders in an effort to help extend affordable high-speed Internet service to every Ohio household, held local monthly meetings in Athens, Morgan, and Hocking counties as part of its eCommunity Strategies program, which covers all 88 Ohio counties. In addition, Connect Ohio consulted with Nelsonville on its broadband application.
"This funding will help these communities take advantage of the benefits available through access to high-speed Internet service," Connect Ohio Executive Director Tom Fritz said. "It highlights the importance of the broadband mapping and planning efforts Ohio has undertaken since 2007 as part of Governor Strickland’s Connect Ohio initiative.”
# # #
For more information about what Connect Ohio is doing to accelerate technology in Ohio's communities, visit http://www.connectohio.org
# # #
Related links:
Connect Ohio Facebook page
Connect Ohio Twitter page
Labels: broadband, Connect Ohio, Nelsonville TV Cable Inc.
posted by Connect Ohio at
11:38 AM
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