How Do We Get Wider Broadband Internet Access in Perry County?
A question I receive many times as I travel around the county is about broadband internet access for our rural homes and businesses. I received this question from Jennifer Z. through the website and thought it would be helpful for everyone. She wrote:
“I was wondering if there were any updates about broadband expansion along 22 between Somerset and East Fultonham in Madison Township? I’ve reached out to multiple offices and organizations and I can’t seem to even confirm that that area has anything planned. I can’t find any company that provides service in that area either.”
Here’s what I know at this time…
I appreciate your question and understand your situation completely. We probably live less than 5 miles apart and our broadband/internet service is poor as well, and options are limited.
Of course, Perry County is not a broadband provider, but the Perry County Commissioners are constantly looking to discover new opportunities to bring broadband providers into Perry County.
Perry County is a member of the Buckeye Hills Regional Council (BHRC) and the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC). I represent the Perry County Commissioners on both those regional councils. Through those councils we are in contact with every company that may provide an opportunity for Perry County. It’s difficult to get companies interested in providing fiber to rural communities when their potential for customers is spread so far apart.
There are some encouraging developments with electric providers, AEP and South Central Power, throughout SE Ohio to potentially allow internet fiber lines to be installed on their existing power poles. If this happens it will provide access to existing poles and rights-of-way. These are big companies and sometimes they move slower than government (and that’s scary).
We have supported that concept because it will potentially double the miles of fiber that can be placed throughout the county with the same money. I am hopeful that these companies can work out the details. It all comes back to money.
As far as what the Commissioners have done to put some skin in the game: On October 27th, 2021, the Perry County Commissioners passed resolution #21-1027-16 approving the Ohio Residential Broadband Expansion Grant Program Request for Providers. The following week on November 3, 2021, we passed resolution #21-1103-06 pledging to contribute up to $475,000 of ARPA (American Rescue Plan) funds for the broadband project submitted by Spectrum MidAmerica LLC to be managed by Charter Communications. This commitment of 10% local match helped to successfully leverage a 4.7 million dollar grant for fiber installation in Perry County.
On January 13, 2023 the Commissioners submitted the first check to Spectrum for approximately half the amount pledged at $237,500.00. We have yet to receive the request for the second round. As work progresses and we receive updates of that work and their locations, I will continue to share that information as well.
