Libraries Host Several BroadbandOhio Listening Sessions

BroadbandOhio has announced a statewide stakeholder outreach effort that will support updates to the Ohio Broadband Strategy and the development of a comprehensive plan to leverage federal funding to close the digital divide.

BroadbandOhio was awarded $5 million by the U.S. Department of Commerce to conduct stakeholder outreach as a first step towards receiving federal funds through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program and Digital Equity Act.

In the coming years, the state will be receiving billions of federal dollars to close the digital divide. This is an opportunity for you and your patrons to have a say in how those dollars are spent.

As the state and BroadbandOhio put together their plan, they will be conducting a listening tour around the state over the next several weeks and they will be utilizing Ohio’s public libraries in most cases. Eight listening sessions are scheduled for March 16 – April 20. Please share this information with your community.

Website:

Ohio Broadband Strategy: Make Your Voice Heard

Promotional posters to display at your library:

General
All upcoming listening sessions

Central Ohio
March 16 | Mt. Gilead Public Library

Southeast Poster
March 21 | University of Rio Grande
March 23 | Guernsey County District Public Library

Southwest Ohio Poster
March 30 | Xenia Community Library

Northwest Poster
April 4 | Toledo Lucas County Library
April 6 | Findlay-Hancock County Public Library

Northeast Poster
April 13 | The Midtown Tech Hive, Cleveland
April 20 | Eastgate Regional Council of Governments, Youngstown