The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has awarded a $750,000 grant to Athens County Commissioners for the Amesville Ohio Broadband Project. The project will add 9.8 miles of fiber-optic network and contract an internet provider to offer broadband service to 124 households and 16 businesses. This improved service will enable remote learning, telehealth, and telework opportunities and expand economic investment in the county.
The ARC’s investment aims to bring 100 Mbps download, 20 Mbps upload speed service to the area and enable a future affordable upgrade to 1000 Mbps speeds.
“By expanding access to broadband internet, we can make it easier for Ohioans to make a living, learn online, and keep in touch with loved ones,” said U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown. “Especially now, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, connectivity is more important than ever. This new investment will help provide diverse opportunities to many in the Amesville community.”
“We are excited that our time and efforts have paid off with the awarding of this grant,” said Athens County Commissioner Lenny Eliason. “This is one step in the right direction to improve the broadband service in our county.”
“The Village of Amesville is an area with a well-documented need for broadband infrastructure investment, said Buckeye Hills Regional Council Executive Director Misty Crosby. “Much groundwork for this project goes back to our collaborative efforts on Connecting Appalachia, which has helped document the true extent of the digital divide in communities like Amesville throughout Appalachian Ohio. I’m proud of the work our development team and the Connecting Appalachia partners have done to help our region leverage investments in broadband infrastructure.”
Athens County will contract with Hocking Athens, Perry Community Action Agency (HAPCAP) to implement the grant, in partnership with Buckeye Hills Regional Council, the Governor’s Office of Appalachia, and Broadband Ohio.
In addition to the $750,000 grant from ARC, local funds will provide $216,320 to bring the total funding amount to $966,320.
The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is an economic development agency of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 420 counties across the Appalachian region. ARC’s mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia and help the region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation. More information is available at www.arc.gov.
Read additional coverage in the Athens Messenger.