<b>By JANE HOUIN<br>
Ohio Correspondent</b> </p><p>

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The “Connect Ohio” initiative, to help expand broadband services across the state by working with local communities and providers to bridge gaps in access, is now underway in Ohio.</p><p>
“The digital divide in Ohio takes many forms – from lack of access to computers and broadband services to a lack of technological skills necessary for the jobs of the future,” said Gov. Ted Strickland.</p><p>
“The goal of Connect Ohio is to create customized support for local communities to meet their individual technological needs, while helping expand broadband service to all residents and businesses.”</p><p>
Connect Ohio Initiatives, LLC, a public-private partnership, is a subsidiary of Kentucky-based Connected Nation and will operate as a nonprofit with headquarters in Columbus. Connected Nation already has programs underway in Kentucky (Connect Kentucky) and Tennessee (Connected Tennessee).</p><p>
Connect Ohio’s three-year strategy involves a partnership between the state and broadband providers to create detailed maps of broadband coverage in order to accurately pinpoint remaining gaps in broadband availability in Ohio. It will also work to establish public-private partnerships that will assist in supplying computers to areas that have broadband service but lack computer access.</p><p>
“The Ohio Cable Telecommunications Association and its member companies commend Governor Strickland’s goal of encouraging broadband deployment to areas of the state currently underserved by Internet access providers,” said Jonathon McGee, executive director of the Ohio Cable Telecommunications Assoc.</p><p>
“Connect Ohio is the first true public-private partnership dedicated solely to expanding our broadband network in Ohio,” said Charles Moses, president of the Ohio Telecom Assoc. (OTA). “We believe Connect Ohio will identify gaps in broadband access and usage and create specific local plans to address the needs of individual communities.</p><p>
“OTA member companies have a long history of investment in Ohio and remain committed to developing the finest telecommunications network possible.”</p><p>
The Connect Ohio model is based on community-specific needs, allowing private providers, the state and community partners to develop customized plans for broadband service in their areas. Connect Ohio will conduct annual, quantitative surveys on the use of and access to broadband services and computing applications.
Using this data, teams in each county will analyze the situation in their community to determine the necessary level of support and technical guidance needed to expand access.</p><p>
Connected Nation specializes in increasing broadband access and computer literacy. Through public-private partnerships, it states that it makes the cost of technology expansion go down and the demand for technology go up.</p><p>
Connected Nation uses intense research, mapping and grassroots techniques to pinpoint underserved areas and create strategic technology plans for these locations. Its inventory maps highlight existing broadband services and helps broadband providers target their buildout resources.</p><p>
The company also works with community leadership to address that community’s challenges related to technology growth and implement the necessary programs to overcome potential obstacles.</p><p>
The local expansion efforts will boost the supply of broadband consumers and create a growing demand for broadband services across Ohio, according to Connected Nation.</p><p>
“We look forward to partnering with the cable and telecommunications industries and their workers to build demand for their services and deploy broadband to areas of the state that are currently underserved,” Strickland said.</p><p>
The executive director of Connect Ohio will hire staff members, including regional program managers to build teams and facilitate local planning. The Ohio Office of Information Technology, in collaboration with the Ohio Broadband Council, will oversee Connect Ohio’s work.</p><p>
The state cost for the program is estimated to be $2.9 million in 2008-09 and $3.9 million in 2010-11. </p><p>
“Under the Connect Ohio strategy, broadband providers will realize new possibilities in expansion and Ohioans will have quick and affordable access to high-speed Internet service,” Strickland said. “This, in turn, brings the state closer to establishing the technological infrastructure we need to be successful and competitive.”</p><p>