Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik, and State Senator Terry Johnson (R-McDermott) recently announced that BroadbandOhio is investing $50 million to expand internet access in the 14th Senate District. This monumental effort, in partnership with altafiber, will provide service to more than 30,000 residents in Southwest Ohio who currently lack it.

BroadbandOhio, a division of the Department of Development, is partnering with altafiber to deliver high-speed, affordable internet in Adams, Brown, and Clermont counties as part of a Multi-County Last Mile Fiber Build Pilot program. The project aims to provide high-speed broadband access to every unserved and underserved address in the tri-county region once completed.

“My administration is committed to ensuring that all Ohioans, no matter where they live, have access to dependable, affordable high-speed internet,” said Governor DeWine. “In today’s world, broadband access is an absolute necessity, and we’re not going to leave our rural communities behind.”

“We’re opening up new economic, educational, and healthcare opportunities for thousands of people in Adams, Brown, and Clermont counties with this expansion,” said Lt. Governor Husted. “There was no viable plan to expand internet access in these areas, so with this announcement, we are opening up a world of opportunity that otherwise these counties would be left without.”

Through the multi-county project, altafiber will undertake the necessary design, construction, and installation of equipment and infrastructure to extend its existing fiber-optic network to approximately 38,000 single-family and multi-dwelling unit addressable locations within the service area, including 13,263 that are considered unserved or underserved.

The program will provide residents of Adams, Brown, and Clermont counties access to altafiber’s high-speed fiber-based network, delivering multi-gig speeds to both residents and businesses in the project area.

Once the buildout is completed, approximately 3,606 unserved and 3,390 underserved addresses in Adams County, 3,465 unserved and 1,753 underserved addresses in Brown County, and 766 unserved and 283 underserved addresses in Clermont County will have improved internet capabilities.

“Through this transformational, multi-county project, we’re taking a major step closer to ending the digital divide across Ohio,” said Director Mihalik. “Whether it’s improving connectivity with loved ones, reaching a doctor via telehealth, or searching for a job, the people of Adams, Brown, and Clermont counties are going to reap a huge benefit from this project for years to come and more fully experience why Ohio is the best place to live, work, and raise a family.”

BroadbandOhio is providing $50 million of the total project cost of $110 million, with altafiber investing $60 million. The state’s portion of the funding comes from the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Capital Projects Fund.

“Broadband fiber-to-the-home connectivity is essential for individuals and families to access educational, healthcare, and employment opportunities. It is also an important economic development tool in attracting and retaining job-creating businesses,” said Leigh Fox, President and CEO of altafiber. “We are proud to partner with the State of Ohio on this important project that will create more digital equity in Adams, Brown, and Clermont counties.”

“Access to the internet is absolutely essential for families, businesses, students, and all citizens to succeed in the 21st century,” Johnson said. “This investment in Adams, Brown, and Clermont counties will reap countless benefits for multiple generations.”

In total, this project will provide internet access to 38,000 addressable locations, including:

• 6,996 households in Adams County;

• 5,218 households in Brown County;

• 1,049 households in Clermont County.

The project aims to provide high-speed broadband access to every unserved and underserved address in these three counties once finished.

Funding awarded from BroadbandOhio will go toward the buildout for Brown and Clermont counties, which must be completed by Dec. 31, 2026. The Adams County buildout is funded through altafiber’s investment and must be completed within one year of the Brown and Clermont counties project.