BroadbandOhio enhances rural connectivity in North Central Ohio with new infrastructure plan

The Richland County Commissioners held a meeting on July 2, 2025, focusing on the development of broadband infrastructure in the region. The primary discussion centered around the importance of establishing a middle-mile internet backbone to enhance connectivity for rural communities.

Commissioners highlighted that local Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are planning to extend fiber optic networks to homes and businesses. However, the cost of these expansions is significantly influenced by the distance to the internet backbone. By constructing a middle-mile structure through North Central Ohio, the connection points to the backbone will be much closer, reducing costs for rural broadband deployment. This improvement is expected to facilitate more affordable internet access, which is crucial for fostering entrepreneurship and enabling remote work opportunities in these areas.

The meeting also touched on the efforts of BroadbandOhio, which has received substantial federal funding aimed at improving internet access statewide. The initiatives discussed are anticipated to support BroadbandOhio's goal of providing internet capabilities to every home and business in Ohio, particularly benefiting North Central Ohio.

In closing, the Commissioners acknowledged the collaborative spirit of Richland County, noting that they typically engage with state organizations like the County Commissioners Association of Ohio (CCAO) only when necessary, emphasizing their proactive approach to addressing local needs. The meeting underscored the county's commitment to enhancing broadband access as a vital component of economic development and community connectivity.