By Jessica Denson, Communications DirectorConnected Nation Bowling Green, KY (December 14, 2020) – Every year, during the holidays, my friends circulate this ridiculous challenge — try not to be “Whammed!” Basically, the person who goes the longest without hearing the original version of “Last Christmas” by Wham! wins. We’re not the only ones. The challenge is so popular that it …
Lack of broadband access is leaving many Ohioans behind
The following was published in the Chillicothe Gazette on November 8, 2020 In my time as the President/CEO of the Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce, I have seen how important it is for employers to be able to hire the skilled workers they need to help their organizations and our community grow. As a member of ReadyNation, I am part …
Ohioans Ordered to Stay Home, Because Coronavirus; Without Internet, Just Because
Approximately 710,000 Ohio households don’t have any Internet service at home, leaving them unable to connect to work, school, health care or shopping during the coronavirus pandemic. The following was published in Governing on April 16, 2020 by Cornelius Frolik (TNS) — An estimated one in six households in the region do not have internet service during a global pandemic …
Disconnected During a Crisis: Life in Dayton Region Without Internet
The following was published by the Dayton Daily News on April 8, 2020 by Cornelius Frolik An estimated one in six households in the Dayton region do not have internet service during a global pandemic when people are depending on the web like never before. With Ohioans ordered to shelter in place to slow the spread of COVID-19, residents with …
Study of Rural Broadband Access Begins
The following was published in the Star Beacon on February 25, 2020 by Jon Wysochanski Efforts are underway to map availability of broadband across the state with the ultimate goal of expanding access to rural and underserved areas. Connected Nation, a rural internet advocacy firm, received a contract for just under $1 million to gather data and map the outlook …
VIDEO: Navigating and Applying for Funding Earmarked for Rural Broadband Expansion
Athens, OH (February 25, 2020) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is taking applications for the second round of funding for rural broadband expansion through its $550 million ReConnect Program. Ohio University and Connected Nation Ohio hosted a webinar yesterday to help you understand how this program can help connect more residents, businesses, and communities in your area. It features a …
State Representative Calls Broadband Access the “Number One Issue among all Constituents”
Circleville, OH. (February 24, 2020) – State Representative Gary Scherer (R-Dist. 92) recently hosted a public meeting in Circleville to discuss broadband coverage in his district. “I was at one of the earlier Connected Nation Ohio Broadband Forums. I knew that we needed to get this to the 92nd house district,” Rep. Scherer said. “Broadband access is a number one …
Ohio Representative to Hold Public Meeting on Rural Broadband Access
The following press release was issued by Rep. Scherer’s office on January 27, 2020 State Rep. Gary Scherer (R-Circleville) has announced that he will be hosting a public meeting on Tuesday, February 18, in collaboration with Connected Nation Ohio, to discuss updated broadband coverage maps for Ohio and to hear from constituents about current issues with broadband access. As a …
FCC Chairman Discusses Rural Digital Opportunity Fund with Rural Business Owners, Community Advocates, Internet Service Providers
“This is the biggest step the FCC has ever taken to close the Digital Divide” by Jessica Denson, Communications Director Marietta, OH (January 23, 2020) – The Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Ajit Pai, met yesterday with community advocates, business owners, educational leaders, internet service providers, and other local stakeholders in Ohio to discuss the importance of closing …
Preliminary Ohio Broadband Maps Released – Help Improve Them!
Louisville, KY. (January 15, 2020) – In mid-December, Connected Nation Ohio (CN Ohio) published preliminary broadband availability maps as part of a project to identify areas served and unserved by high-speed internet access. They are the first state-level broadband maps developed since 2017. While federal broadband datasets exist, they are heavily flawed, and there is evidence of both overstatement and understatement of broadband …