Connect Ohio Releases New County-Level Technology Adoption Data for Ohio’s 88 Counties

For Immediate Release

July 8, 2011

Contact: Amanda Murphy

614-214-6755 or amurphy@connectohio.org

COLUMBUS –Connect Ohio has released a new report detailing technology adoption on a county-level basis for each of the state’s 88 counties. The new report follows the release of statewide technology adoption data at Connect Ohio’s second quarter 2011 Technology Association meeting in Columbus June 24. Statewide, home broadband adoption has increased to 66% from 2008, which is above the national average of 63%.


“Every new user improves the economy and their own lives by embracing computing and high-speed Internet and we are very excited to see significant increases in adoption, above the national average, among Ohioans all across the state,” said Don Shirley, Connect Ohio executive director.


Since June 2008, Connect Ohio has provided mapping and research to identify broadband opportunities for Ohio’s citizens. Since its initial assessments, Connect Ohio has worked with both public and private partners to develop programs to increase broadband availability, adoption, and use.


The new county-level technology adoption data was gathered by Connect Ohio and Connected Nation, Connect Ohio’s parent organization, through a survey of Ohio adults. The detailed technology analysis explores adoption of computers and broadband use in households throughout the state.


Below is a sampling of key data from the research.


· In Franklin County, household broadband adoption grew from 67% in 2008 to 72% in 2011.

· Crawford County broadband adoption grew from just 31% in 2008 to 69% in 2011, a 123% growth.

· Meigs, Monroe, and Noble counties’ household broadband adoption growth rate was more than 150% between 2008 and 2011.

· Among the 24% of Jackson County residents who do not own a computer, 67% state the reason is that they do not see the need for a computer and 23% say computers are too expensive.

· The average monthly price paid for home broadband service in Gallia County is $50.83, which is above the state average of $43.41.

· 49% of Hocking County residents subscribe to home broadband service, below the state average of 66%.


The compiled data for each county is available for viewing on Connect Ohio’s website by clicking on the individual county profile pages.

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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.




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Connect Ohio Launches Every Citizen Online Broadband Adoption Program

December 21, 2010

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

Partnering libraries and community colleges will offer free computer and broadband training throughout Ohio

COLUMBUS – Connect Ohio is pleased to announce the launch of Every Citizen Online. The program, in partnership with more than 100 libraries and community colleges across the state, offers free computer and broadband training. A statewide public awareness campaign to inform Ohioans of the free computer training launched Monday, December 20 and includes television, radio, and print mediums.

The program recently received $6.9 million in federal funding, as well as more than $3 million in assistance and contributions from a number of participating entities across the state, to increase the sustainable adoption of broadband services for more than 200,000 state residents. Free computer training sessions will be provided at public libraries and community colleges throughout Ohio to 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 geared toward first-time computer and broadband users.

Classes are scheduled to begin in January 2011 at libraries and community colleges throughout the state and will continue for two years. A complete list of participating locations with contact information can be found at http://connectohio.org/consumer_training or by calling 1-855-NOW-I-CAN (669-42260). Free self-paced training is being offered online for those unable to attend classes. Self-paced training can be completed by visiting http://connectohio.org/consumer_training.

"This is an incredibly exciting program for Ohio. Currently, just 66% of Ohio households subscribe to broadband service, leaving more than three million Ohioans on the wrong side of the digital divide,” Connect Ohio Executive Director Tom Fritz said. “The Every Citizen Online program is an opportunity to close the gap between those who have computer technology at home and those who do not, preparing state residents without high-speed Internet for a technologically-driven society. This program model presents an opportunity to set a precedent for other states. We’re very pleased to have developed the project through a highly collaborative effort with dozens of local libraries and community colleges across Ohio.”

Connect Ohio is a non-profit public-private partnership, whose mission is to see all Ohioans connected to the benefits of high-speed Internet service. Through the Every Citizen Online program, Connect Ohio is assisting libraries and community colleges with the cost of instructors, computers, and public awareness to provide training to as many as 200,000 new users over the next two years.

Other partners in the program include the State Library of Ohio, The Ohio Association of Broadcasters, The Ohio Public Television Stations, Ohio Public Radio, Groundwork Group, the Ohio Public Library Information Network, and a wide variety of libraries and community colleges across the state. Computer companies, such as Intel and Microsoft, have expressed interest in the project and many broadband service providers across Ohio are working to ensure that participants can easily get online by providing special incentives to first-time broadband subscribers who complete the training.

Connect Ohio's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) matching grant is awarded by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). BTOP provides grants to support the deployment of broadband infrastructure, enhance and expand public computer centers, and encourage sustainable adoption of broadband service.

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