Connect Ohio Awards Computer to Ross County Participant of Free Statewide Internet Training Program

Contact: Amanda Murphy

614-214-6755 or amurphy@connectohio.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 18, 2011

Twelve Ohioans were randomly selected to receive a new laptop computer following completion of the free computer-training program

COLUMBUS – On Monday, July 18, Connect Ohio presented Cathy McComis of Chillicothe with a new laptop computer during a short media event at Chillicothe and Ross County Public Library. McComis was selected as a winner in a random drawing following her participation in the Every Citizen Online program, a free statewide basic computer and Internet training program.

“I loved the training and the instructor is one in a million,” said McComis. “I don’t have a computer, so now I can go get Internet at home. I’m so excited.”

Connect Ohio, a nonprofit public-private partnership, is distributing a total of 12 new laptop computers to Ohio adults who completed the Every Citizen Online free basic computer-training program between April 5 and June 20, 2011. Program participants completed an online survey following the training and were entered into the random drawing giveaway.

“We at the library congratulate Cathy McComis for completing the Connect Ohio online course at the library,” said Jennifer McKell, library director. “The library’s goal is to get everyone in Ross County online, who wants to be online, in order to connect to the broader world of information. We will be continuing the free Connect Ohio computer classes through 2011 and 2012. Cathy’s win through the one-time Connect Ohio drawing is great. The real winners are she and everyone else who becomes comfortable in the online world by taking the course.“

Connect Ohio has partnered with more than 200 libraries, community colleges, education and career centers across the state to offer the Every Citizen Online training. More than 8,000 adults have already taken advantage of the training since it launched in late December 2010. The training consists of 2 hours each of Basic Introduction to Computers, An Introduction to the Internet, and Tools and Benefits of using the Internet. Participants are helped to establish an e-mail account and provided with additional training resources to help them continue to learn and use information available online. Connect Ohio plans to train a total of 200,000 Ohioans by program completion in December 2012.

For information on upcoming Every Citizen Online training classes at Chillicothe and Ross Public Library Northside branch, located at 550 Buckeye Street, Chillicothe, call 740-702-4100.

Additional training locations can be found by calling 1-855-NOW-I-CAN (669-42260) or by visiting http://connectoh.org/consumer_training/training_facilities.php.

Contest rules and guidelines are listed on Connect Ohio’s website at http://connectoh.org/consumer_training/computer_giveaway.php or you may receive a copy by e-mailing amurphy@connectohio.org.

For more information on the Every Citizen Online program, visit http://connectohio.org/consumer_training.

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Connect Ohio, a division of Connected Nation, is a nonprofit, technology-neutral public-private partnership that works with telecommunications providers, business and community leaders, information technology companies, researchers, public agencies, libraries and universities in an effort to help extend affordable high-speed Internet service to every Ohio household. 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 on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ConnectOhio


Connect Ohio on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ConnectOH

Connect Ohio’s Every Citizen Online Broadband Adoption Program Sees Early Success

Connect Ohio’s Every Citizen Online Broadband Adoption Program Sees Early Success

Contact: Amanda Murphy

614-220-0190 or amurphy@connectohio.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 25, 2011

More than 10,000 Ohio adults have registered for free basic computer training offered throughout the state

COLUMBUS – Connect Ohio is pleased to announce more than 5,700 adults have completed the Every Citizen Online free basic computer training since the program’s launch December 20, 2010. More than 10,000 adults have registered for the free 6-hour course, which is offered in libraries and community centers across Ohio.

“Ohioans have already shown great interest in the Every Citizen Online program,” said Tom Fritz, Connect Ohio executive director. “We’re pleased that almost 6,000 adults in 60 counties have completed the training already, putting the program well on its way to success. Since January, more than 200 training locations have begun to offer free classes, with more coming aboard each week. We’re excited at the opportunity to prepare Ohioans without high-speed Internet for a technologically-driven society and to introduce them to a wide range of communication, education, economic, and healthcare tools available to them online.”

The program is available to any Ohio adult and trainees come from a wide range of backgrounds, including small business owners, persons interested in increasing their education, job seekers, and seniors who have waited to adopt technology.

“The class opened up knowledge of the computer and the Internet for me,” said Stephen Morozowsky, a small business owner in Zanesville. “Now, I communicate with my clients through e-mail. I also order my business supplies online. I can shop and compare prices, which I hadn’t been able to do before. It’s a great added convenience.”

Morozowsky received training at the John McIntire Public Library in March.

Early surveys indicate that 91% of trainees intend to become regular broadband users at home as a result of the training.

In partnership with 213 libraries, community colleges, and educational and workforce centers across the state, the program offers free computer and broadband training to any interested Ohio adult. The training curriculum includes a basic introduction to computers, an introduction to the Internet, as well as exploring the tools and benefits of using the Internet. Participants are helped to establish an e-mail account and provided with additional training resources to help them continue to learn and use information available online.

The goal of the Every Citizen Online project, funded by the National Telecommunication and Information Agency (NTIA)’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, is to train more than 200,000 state residents by early 2013 and to generate 75,000 new broadband adopters in Ohio. The scope of the 3-year program includes 80,000 training hours, more than 2,000 computers provided to libraries and community colleges, the immediate creation of 136 jobs, and a projected increase in direct economic growth of $36 million annually.

A complete list of program details and information on participating locations can be found at http://connectohio.org/consumer_training or by calling 1-855-NOW-I-CAN (669-4226). Free self-paced training is being offered online for those unable to attend classes. Self-paced training can be completed by visiting http://eco.connectohio.org/.

Additional information regarding the Every Citizen Online program can be found at http://connectohio.org/consumer_training/.

View Connect Ohio’s Every Citizen Online televised public service announcements: http://connectohio.org/consumer_training/media.php.

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Connect Ohio, a division of Connected Nation, is a nonprofit, technology-neutral public-private partnership that works with telecommunications providers, business and community leaders, information technology companies, researchers, public agencies, libraries and universities in an effort to help extend affordable high-speed Internet service to every Ohio household. 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 on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ConnectOhio

Connect Ohio on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ConnectOH

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Connect Ohio Report Proves Broadband Is Key to Higher Business Revenues

Media Contact: Amanda Murphy

amurphy@connectohio.org, (614) 220-0190

For Immediate Release

May 13, 2011

Download: Business Technology Adoption Overview

Access the Findings

Survey of state businesses establishes link between high-speed Internet use and bottom line

Columbus, OH — A new study by Connect Ohio shows businesses with broadband have a clear advantage in revenue and thus potential job creation over businesses without it. The groundbreaking research, which can be found at http://connectohio.org/mapping_and_research/, involved surveys of more than 802 businesses across the state and shows that businesses using high-speed Internet connections report median annual revenues $200,000 more than businesses without broadband. However, the research estimates that approximately 88,000 Ohio businesses still do not use broadband technology today.

“The Internet opens a world of opportunity, not only for consumers, but for businesses," Connect Ohio Executive Director Tom Fritz said. "One-third of Ohio businesses are not utilizing the digital opportunities of the Internet. Connect Ohio wants to ensure all Ohioans have access to the Internet's many benefits."

The new survey is the first of its kind and takes an in-depth look at all sectors of the state’s economy. A new interactive application is now available on the Connect Ohio website that allows you to see the impact on specific sectors of the state’s economy, from healthcare and manufacturing, to tourism and education.

“In the digital economy, businesses must embrace broadband, and other transformative technologies like it, in order to survive,” said Brian Mefford, CEO of Connected Nation, Connect Ohio’s parent organization. “The Internet is driving products and services to the marketplace in an environment where creativity and innovation are both reinforced and rewarded.”

Connect Ohio is a statewide public-private partnership working on broadband expansion. The new Ohio Business Technology Assessment reveals how technology is being used by businesses and where gaps still remain across the state. The assessment is designed to measure technology adoption and the awareness of available broadband service among state businesses, and establish benchmarks for these metrics.

The findings demonstrate a significant correlation between high-speed Internet adoption and a business’s bottom line, and provide a groundbreaking overview of business uses of technology. For instance:

• Businesses with high-speed Internet connections report having median annual revenues $200,000 more than businesses without broadband.

• Across the state, approximately 33% of businesses do not use broadband for their daily business needs. This includes 36% of small businesses, or approximately 34,000 businesses with five to nineteen employees.

• Only 53% of businesses in the Healthcare sector use broadband, meaning about 13,000 Healthcare-related businesses do not subscribe.

• 4 out of 5 businesses that do not subscribe to broadband say that either they do not need broad¬band or they do not know why they don’t subscribe. This is by far the most often-cited barrier to broad¬band adoption, followed by the lack of a computer, perceived security risks, and expense.

• 22% of state businesses let employees telework.

• Statewide, 29% of businesses (approximately 59,000 businesses) earn revenues from online transactions. 

• $67.36 - Median monthly cost for broadband for state businesses. This is slightly lower than the median price of $71.92 paid by all businesses in the states/territories served by Connected Nation.

Increasing broadband capacity among businesses is just one area that Connect Ohio is focused on. Connect Ohio’s Every Citizen Online program collaborates with over 200 libraries, community colleges, and career centers to provide free basic computer and Internet training to Ohio adults. The two-year program is a statewide initiative to introduce new computer users to a wide range of conveniences available online in an effort to increase broadband adoption rates. For more information on the Every Citizen Online program, visit http://connectohio.org/consumer_training/.

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About Connect Ohio: Connect Ohio, a division of Connected Nation, is a nonprofit, technology-neutral public-private partnership that works with telecommunications providers, business and community leaders, information technology companies, researchers, public agencies, libraries and universities in an effort to help extend affordable high-speed Internet service to every Ohio household. For more information about what Connect Ohio is doing to accelerate technology in Ohio's communities, visit http://www.connectohio.org.


About Connected Nation: Connected Nation is the broadband mapping agent in twelve states and territories under the NTIA’s State Broadband Data and Development grant program. This work comprises approximately 42 percent of the country’s landmass and encompasses approximately 39.5 million households. Connected Nation is a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that expands access to and use of broadband Internet and the related technologies that are enabled when individuals and communities have the opportunity and desire to connect. Connected Nation effectively raises the awareness of the value of broadband and related technologies by developing coalitions of influencers and enablers for improving technology availability and use. Connected Nation works with consumers, community leaders, states, technology providers and foundations, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, to develop and implement technology expansion programs with core competencies centered around a mission to improve digital inclusion for people and places previously underserved or overlooked. www.connectednation.org.

Connect Ohio Applauds Washington County RFP Release and Efforts to Expand Broadband Availability

Contact: Amanda Murphy

614-220-0190 or amurphy@connectohio.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 6, 2011

County Commissioners, with the help of Connect Ohio, have released an RFP for Wireless Internet Service Providers, which would allow for high-speed Internet to reach a majority of county households.

COLUMBUS –Washington County Commissioners, along with assistance from Connect Ohio and Buckeye Hill-Hocking Valley Regional Development District LDD GIS department, has announced the release of a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the construction of a wireless broadband network throughout the county.

Commissioners Cora Marshall, Timothy Irvine, and Steven Weber released the proposal as an invitation to Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISP) to expand the access and availability of broadband Internet services to commercial, residential, and publically owned locations in Washington County.

According to the RFP, it was created with the following two objectives:

• Expand broadband throughout Washington County, especially in unserved and underserved areas at or below current market rates
• Expand no charge law enforcement and lower cost first responder data network access throughout Washington County

The RFP also details initiatives undertaken to assist the WISP in the expansion efforts and includes the following:

• Secured access to 10 Multi Agency Radio Communications System Towers (MARCS)
• Access to county-owned vertical assets
• Secured participation by majority of area water authorities with access to 17 water and communication towers
• Customized GIS layers with Dot-On-House information
• Signal distribution analysis and business case model provided by Connect Ohio

The contact person for Washington County’s RFP project is Eric Skomra, county IT director. He can be reached at (740) 374-6623, ext. 301 or eskomra@wcgov.org.

“The Washington County Commissioners recognize the importance of broadband availability for all county citizens, especially those that live in rural areas,” said Bart Winegar, Connect Ohio technical outreach manager. “The Commissioners are doing all they can to attract broadband providers to the unserved areas and this RFP is evidence of their efforts.”

Connect Ohio technical outreach staff had the opportunity to work closely with Washington County officials and Buckeye Hill-Hocking Valley Regional Development District LDD GIS department, completing data collection, cost estimates, and propagation studies. Connect Ohio used the data to provide a customized business model for broadband expansion for the county, which is included in the RFP.

“Bart Winegar and Ira Dye of Connect Ohio have done a phenomenal job taking the data we provided and producing a strong, viable business case for Wireless Broadband delivery in Washington County,” shared Skomra. “I believe any WISP who reviews the detailed data and the analysis provided will be highly compelled to participate in our RFP.”

According to Connect Ohio’s 2008 Consumer Technology Assessment for Washington County, only 37% of households received broadband service to the home, significantly less than the state average at the time, which was 55%.*

Additional Washington County technology statistics can be found on Connect Ohio’s website or by visiting the following link: http://connectohio.org/mapping_and_research/county_profiles/washington/.

*A 2011 Residential Technology Assessment for each county will be available later this year.

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About Connect Ohio: Connect Ohio, a division of Connected Nation, is a nonprofit, technology-neutral public-private partnership that works with telecommunications providers, business and community leaders, information technology companies, researchers, public agencies, libraries and universities in an effort to help extend affordable high-speed Internet service to every Ohio household. 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 on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ConnectOhio

Connect Ohio on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ConnectOH

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Connect Ohio Applauds Jackson County RFP Release and Efforts to Expand Broadband Availability

Contact: Amanda Murphy
614-220-0190 or amurphy@connectohio.org


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 18, 2011

JCEDB, with the help of Connect Ohio, has released an RFP for Wireless Internet Service Providers, which would allow for high-speed Internet to reach a majority of county households.

COLUMBUS – The Jackson County Economic Development Board (JCEDB), a not-for-profit 501(c)(3), in cooperation with Jackson County Board of Commissioners, City of Jackson, City of Wellston, Village of Coalton, Village of Oak Hill, and the Jackson County Water Company, along with assistance from Connect Ohio, has announced the release of a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the construction of a wireless broadband network throughout the county.

JCEDB released the proposal in an effort to expand the access and availability of broadband Internet services to commercial, residential, and publically owned locations in Jackson County. The Wireless Internet Service Provider (WISP)-friendly RFP is an invitation to providers to bring broadband to the unserved and underserved residents and businesses of not only Jackson County, but neighboring counties, as well.

According to a statement from JCEDB, the top five most compelling reasons providers should consider responding to the RFP include:
• Single point of contact and low cost access to county-wide towers and water tanks
• Local marketing assistance and community cooperation
• Wireless propagation analysis
• Business case study
• Limited financial assistance to contribute to the project

The RFP is available for view by broadband providers at http://www.jcedb.com.

“The citizens of Jackson County have been well served by the level of effort and dedication of resources that went into this project,” said Bart Winegar, Connect Ohio technical outreach manager. “We are hopeful that the broadband provider community will recognize the full and unified support of the county to help them succeed.”

Connect Ohio technical outreach staff had the opportunity to work closely with Jackson County officials and the JCEDB for months, completing data collection, cost estimates, and propagation studies. Connect Ohio used the data to provide a customized business model for broadband expansion in Jackson County, which is included in the RFP.

“Connect Ohio has been an invaluable partner in the RFP process,” said Sam Brady, Jackson County economic development specialist. “Their expertise has been a huge asset to Jackson County and its project partners.”

“This has been an ideal public/private partnership at all levels with JCEDB, Connect Ohio, and our local government partners,” said Jennifer Jacobs, Jackson County Economic Development Board executive director. “This project has displayed the very best of the cooperative spirit among our local leaders to move Jackson County ahead.”

According to Connect Ohio’s 2008 Consumer Technology Assessment for Jackson County, 27% of households received broadband service to the home, significantly less than the state average at the time, which was 55%.* Additional Jackson County technology statistics can be found on Connect Ohio’s website or by visiting the following link: http://www.connectohio.org/mapping_and_research/county_profiles/jackson/.

*A 2011 Residential Technology Assessment for each county will be available later this year.

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About Connect Ohio: Connect Ohio, a division of Connected Nation, is a nonprofit, technology-neutral public-private partnership that works with telecommunications providers, business and community leaders, information technology companies, researchers, public agencies, libraries and universities in an effort to help extend affordable high-speed Internet service to every Ohio household. 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 on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ConnectOhio


Connect Ohio on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ConnectOH


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Ohioans Without Broadband May be Eligible for Satellite Service Through Federally Funded Program

Ohioans Without Broadband May be Eligible for Satellite Service Through Federally Funded Program

Contact: Amanda Murphy
614-220-0190 or amurphy@connectohio.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 31, 2011


Households currently without Internet access may be eligible for discounted satellite services from HughesNet

COLUMBUS – In August 2010, $100 million was awarded to 4 satellite service companies throughout the country to fund equipment, installation, and activation of services to rural homes and businesses not served by traditional broadband providers. The funds were made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) through the Rural Utilities Service (RUS).

Hughes Network Systems is offering the service for rural Ohio areas. The company was awarded $58 million of the grant for nationwide satellite services and is expected to connect over 258,000 people and 3,200 businesses.

For qualifying addresses, the grant will fund satellite equipment, installation, and activation of services at no cost to the consumer and the monthly cost of satellite services must be economically feasible - $50 or less for at least one year.

According to a press release from the company, eligible households can choose from three HughesNet service plans with no installation or equipment charges. Because the initiative is designed to help bring broadband access to households that do not have it, Recovery Act Funds are only available to new customers. Households that currently have – or have access to – high-speed Internet service are not eligible.

The services may not be available in locations where other broadband service installations are planned for the near future and the offer will expire once the funds are depleted.

To see if your home or business address qualifies for this program, go to http://hughesnet.com/ and click on For Your Residence, or call HughesNet at 1-866-928-7479.

To view whether traditional providers service your area and who those providers are, visit Connect Ohio’s BroadbandStat, an online interactive map. Go to http://connectohio.org/mapping_and_research/interactive_map.php and click on the map graphic in the middle of the screen.

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About Connect Ohio: Connect Ohio, a division of Connected Nation, is a nonprofit, technology-neutral public-private partnership that works with telecommunications providers, business and community leaders, information technology companies, researchers, public agencies, libraries and universities in an effort to help extend affordable high-speed Internet service to every Ohio household. 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 on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ConnectOhio

Connect Ohio on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ConnectOH


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Technical Association Quarterly Meeting Discusses Statewide Broadband Adoption and Last-Mile Broadband Expansion Projects

For Immediate Release

March 25, 2011

Contact: Amanda Murphy

614-220-0190 or amurphy@connectohio.org

Statewide programs continue to improve broadband access, will provide more than 200,000 Ohioans with free computer training

COLUMBUS – On Friday, March 25 at the Vern Riffe Center in Columbus, Connect Ohio hosted the 2011 first quarter Technology Association Meeting with 67 stakeholders, broadband providers, and library and community representatives. Representatives from government offices in attendance included the office of State Senator Joe Schiavoni of the 63^rd Senate District, the office of State Representative Matt Huffman of the 4^th House District, as well as United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director Tony Logan and USDA Rural Development Community Programs Director David Douglas.

The meeting detailed the early success of the Every Citizen Online program, a two-year effort to increase sustainable broadband adoption for more than 200,000 state residents by providing free computer training sessions at public libraries and community colleges throughout Ohio. The program began in late December 2010. Thus far, nearly 1,500 Ohio adults have completed the free basic computer training, more than 4,600 have registered for the training through the online site http://eco.connectohio.org/, and 1,853 computers have been distributed.

"The Every Citizen Online project has been well-received in communities throughout the state," said Connect Ohio Executive Director Tom Fritz. “We’ve seen early success since the initial launch and continue to add training locations regularly, advancing the program’s reach.”

Connect Ohio Technical Outreach Manager Bart Winegar gave attendees an overview of current last-mile assistance projects in Ohio. The last-mile projects offer assistance to Ohio communities that lack access to broadband by identifying, researching, and mapping unserved areas and interacting with local planning teams to determine the best practices to increase broadband capacity in that area. Winegar presented details of a broadband expansion model created by Connect Ohio that can be used to determine financial viability and sustainability of expansion into Ohio communities.

Fritz also recognized Matthew Pepper of Chesterhill with a Broadband Hero award for his hard work and dedication toward expanding affordable broadband and high-speed Internet access to residents of Morgan County. Details of Pepper’s volunteer efforts can be viewed at http://connectoh.org/in_the_news/broadband_heroes/.

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About Connect Ohio: Connect Ohio, a division of Connected Nation, is a nonprofit, technology-neutral public-private partnership that works with telecommunications providers, business and community leaders, information technology companies, researchers, public agencies, libraries, and universities in an effort to help extend affordable high-speed Internet service to every Ohio household. 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 on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ConnectOhio

Connect Ohio on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ConnectOH

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Connect Ohio Technical Outreach Team Provides Broadband Expansion Model to Morgan County Officials

Connect Ohio Technical Outreach Team Provides Broadband Expansion Model to Morgan County Officials

Contact: Amanda Murphy

614-220-0190 or amurphy@connectohio.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 17, 2011

Connect Ohio’s model would allow high-speed Internet to reach a majority of Morgan County households.

COLUMBUS – Connect Ohio technical outreach staff presented Morgan County officials with a financially viable and sustainable broadband expansion model in a meeting Wednesday, March 16, at the Morgan County Extension Agent in McConnelsville, Ohio.

Following months of data collection, cost estimation, and propagation studies by Connect Ohio technical outreach manager Bart Winegar, coordinator Ira Dye, and Matthew Pepper of Chesterhill municipal wireless Internet service provider, the model was presented to Morgan County officials for review. The model leverages efforts from local eCommunity Strategy planning that began in 2009 with the assistance of Connect Ohio. Many local leaders participated in these early meetings and provided valuable input.

“This presentation was the culmination of a lot of work,” said Winegar. “I’m encouraged that county commissioners and economic development staff were present and agreed to take time to review the model.”

According to Connect Ohio’s 2008 Consumer Technology Assessment for Morgan County, only 25% of households received broadband service to the home, significantly less than the state average at the time, which was 55%.*

“This is positive for the area and the residents of Morgan County,” said Pepper. “(Broadband) adoption is not the issue. Availability is the issue.”

In a few weeks, the group will reconvene to discuss the next steps needed to make the model a reality.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to provide a service to so many unserved households,” said Shannon Wells, director of the Morgan County Development Office.

Those in attendance for Wednesday’s meeting included:

Dean Cain, Morgan County commissioner

Steve Hook, Morgan County engineer

Bo Powell, Morgan County Engineer’s Office

Matthew Pepper, Chesterhill municipal wireless Internet service provider

Shannon Wells, director of the Morgan County Development Office

Ira Dye, technical outreach coordinator at Connect Ohio

Tom Fritz, executive director at Connect Ohio

Bart Winegar, technical outreach manager at Connect Ohio

Chip Spann, director of engineering & technical services at Connected Nation

Morgan County libraries and learning centers have also partnered with Connect Ohio to provide Every Citizen Online basic computer and Internet training to adults. The training will introduce new users to a wide range of communication, education, and healthcare tools available online. Interested adults throughout Ohio are eligible to participate in the program, which is being provided locally at the following locations:

-Morgan County Learning Center, located at 4277 N. State Route 376 NW, McConnelsville, (740) 962-2079

-Kate Love Simpson-Morgan County Library, Main Branch, located at 358 E. Main Street, McConnelsville, (740) 962-2533

-Kate Love Simpson-Morgan County Library Chesterhill Branch, located at 7520 Marion Street, Chesterhill, (740) 554-7104

For questions regarding the Every Citizen Online program, contact Amanda Murphy at amurphy@connectohio.org.

*A 2011 Residential Technology Assessment for each county will be available later this year.

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About Connect Ohio: Connect Ohio, a division of Connected Nation, is a nonprofit, technology-neutral public-private partnership that works with telecommunications providers, business and community leaders, information technology companies, researchers, public agencies, libraries and universities in an effort to help extend affordable high-speed Internet service to every Ohio household. 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 on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ConnectOhio

Connect Ohio on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ConnectOH

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