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

Contact: Amanda Murphy

614-214-6755 or amurphy@connectohio.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 26, 2011

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

COLUMBUS – On Tuesday, July 26, Connect Ohio presented Thelma Young of Kenton with a new laptop computer during a short media event at Forest-Jackson Public Library. Young was selected as a winner in a random drawing following her participation in the Every Citizen Online (ECO) program, a free statewide basic computer and Internet training program.

“The training helped me out a lot,” said Young. “I have a desktop computer at home, but I didn’t really know what all could be done on the computer and the Internet.”

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’re very excited to have one of our students win a computer,” said Karen Moore, library director. “The ECO program has been very well received within our community. We are continuing to schedule free computer classes and have openings in our next class scheduled for Monday, August 8 and Wednesday, August 10.”

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.

The next Every Citizen Online training class at Forest-Jackson Public Library, located at 102 W. Lima Street, Forest, is scheduled for August 8 and 10, 5:30-8:30 p.m. For more information and to register for classes, call the library at 419-273-2400.

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.

# # #


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.

# # #

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 Announces Computer Giveaway for Participants of Free Statewide Internet Training Program

Connect Ohio Announces Computer Giveaway for Participants of Free Statewide Internet Training Program

Contact: Amanda Murphy
614-220-0190 or amurphy@connectohio.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 8, 2011

Twelve Ohioans will be randomly selected to receive a new netbook computer following completion of the free computer-training program

COLUMBUS – Connect Ohio, a nonprofit public-private partnership, will be distributing 12 new netbook computers to Ohio adults who have completed the Every Citizen Online free basic computer-training program. Program participants completing an online survey following the training will be entered into the random drawing giveaway. The entry period is April 5 through June 20. Winners will be contacted and announced in late June.

“Ohio adults have already shown great interest in the Every Citizen Online program and the opportunity for free basic computer and Internet training,” said Tom Fritz, Connect Ohio executive director. “We’re excited about the opportunity to distribute new computers to a dozen of the adults taking advantage of the program to help them get online more easily.”

The Every Citizen Online program offers free basic computer and Internet training to adults in Ohio in an effort to introduce new users to a wide range of communication, education, and healthcare tools available online. Connect Ohio has partnered with more than 200 libraries, community colleges, education and career centers across the state to offer the training.

More than 3,000 adults have already completed the Every Citizen Online 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.

Local 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.

# # #

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

# # #

Frontier Communications to Provide Connect Ohio’s Every Citizen Online Graduates with Netbooks

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 3, 2011

To aid broadband adoption throughout Ohio, Frontier will offer a computer to adults completing the free Internet training

COLUMBUS – Connect Ohio is pleased to announce Frontier Communications’ support of the Every Citizen Online program. The program offers free computer and broadband training to adult Ohioans with a goal to train more than 200,000 state residents. Frontier Communications announced March 2 a commitment to provide netbooks to graduates of the Every Citizen Online program who sign up for Frontier’s high-speed Internet service with price protection plan. The commitment also includes on-site installation of Frontier’s Internet service by a trained technician.

“We want to partner with Connect Ohio on our mutual goal of helping Ohioans have access to, and adopt, broadband service,” said Dave Davidson, senior vice president and general manager for Frontier’s Ohio operations. “After an individual completes the training, we want to ensure that they have a computer at home to access all the Internet has to offer.”

The Every Citizen Online free computer training sessions are provided to introduce new users to a wide range of communication, education, and healthcare tools available online. Interested adults are eligible to participate in the program, which is geared toward first-time computer and broadband users.

Classes began in January 2011 at more than 100 libraries and community colleges throughout Ohio 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 (669-4226).

"Frontier's willingness to make this exclusive offer to first-time users who complete the program provides a valuable incentive for newly trained users," said Tom Fritz, executive director of Connect Ohio. "The ECO program provides six hours of free training for any adult who has no experience using broadband technology, and is funded through a federal grant, local libraries, and other sources."

More information on 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.

# # #

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

About Frontier Communications

Frontier Communications Corporation (NYSE: FTR) is a Fortune 500 company included in the S&P 500 Index offering voice, high-speed Internet, satellite video, wireless Internet data access, data security solutions, bundled offerings, specialized bundles for small businesses and home offices, and advanced business communications access solutions for medium and large businesses in 27 states and with approximately 14,800 employees. It has a 100 percent U.S.-based workforce. More information is available at www.frontier.com and www.frontier.com/ir.

# # #

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.

# # #

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