Buckeye Hills Regional Council will host a series of broadband listening sessions across southern and eastern Ohio from May 30 through June 22.
“These listening sessions are an opportunity for all Ohioans to share the issues they face, as well as possible solutions, to accessing internet services whether those issues are affordability, access to services, access to devices, or lack of digital skills,” said BHRC Program Manager Ryan Collins. “This information will be gathered and transmitted to BroadbandOhio, where it will directly inform and affect Ohio’s Digital Equity Plan.”
The listening sessions are open to the public. Buckeye Hills Regional Council and Broadband Ohio are especially seeking input from those who are or work with low-income households, older adults, incarcerated individuals, veterans, people with disabilities, people with language barriers, racial and ethnic minorities, and rural residents.
In February, BroadbandOhio selected Buckeye Hills Regional Council as one of five organizations across the state to lead Regional Digital Inclusion Alliances (RDIAs). Buckeye Hills and the other lead organizations will work alongside BroadbandOhio to develop the state’s digital opportunity plan, leveraging their local relationships to ensure the final plan meets the federal requirements of the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program while also meeting the needs of all Ohioans.
Buckeye Hills Regional Council and the other RDIA leads are hosting regional forums across the state to better understand the connectivity-based challenges community leaders and Ohioans are facing at the local level. Feedback from these forums will be used to support activities around the availability and affordability of high-speed internet, online accessibility of public resources and services, digital literacy, online privacy, and technical support.
The listening session dates and locations are listed below.
Coshocton County
May 30, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Coshocton Public Library – Large Meeting Room
655 Main Street Coshocton, OH
(The Coshocton Public Library is not sponsoring or participating in this event)
Hocking County
June 1, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Logan Theater – 2nd floor meeting room
86 E. Main Street Logan, OH
Jackson County
June 5, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Jackson City Library – Large Meeting Room
21 Broadway Street Jackson, OH
Ross County
June 6, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Ross County Library – Northside Branch
550 Buckeye Street Chillicothe, OH
Guernsey County
June 8, noon – 5:00 p.m.
Guernsey County Public Library – Crossroads Branch – Large Meeting Room
63500 Byesville Road Cambridge, OH
Athens County
June 12, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Athens Community Center – Room A
701 E. State Street Athens, OH
Washington County
June 15, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Washington State Community College – Community Room
710 Colegate Dr. Marietta, OH
Meigs County
June 20, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Meigs County District Public Library
216 W. Main Street Pomeroy, OH
Noble County
June 21, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Caldwell Public Library – Genealogy Building
517 Spruce Street Caldwell, OH
Gallia County
June 22, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Bossard Memorial Library – Large Meeting Room
7 Spruce Street Gallipolis, OH
Questions about the broadband listening sessions may be directed to Ryan Collins, Program Manager.