CLEVELAND — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine on Tuesday threw his full support behind a plan seeking to make internet access more affordable in Cleveland, announcing a $10 million grant for area nonprofit DigitalC as it ramps up its broadband project.
Joined by Lt. Gov. Jon Husted as well as Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb and City Council President Blaine Griffin, DeWine spoke about the importance of making such digital services available for all citizens, not just those who can currently afford it. Under DigitalC's proposal, more than 170,000 Cleveland households would have access to broadband technology for just $18 a month, or $216 a year.
"In a world where the internet has become nearly as essential as electricity, we know how important it is that our citizens are connected," DeWine said at a press conference. "We are committed to closing the digital divide in Ohio — not just in rural parts of the state, but also right here in urban centers like Cleveland where affordability can be more of an obstacle than access."
According to a 2019 study from the National Digital Inclusion Alliance, Cleveland is the "worst connected" city in America with a population of at least 65,000, with 46% of residents not having any access to cable, DSL, or fiber internet. Bibb has made closing this "digital divide" one of his priorities since taking office two years ago, and this past fall secured legislative approval for a contact that will see a massive $400 million broadband network built around the community.
That deal with SiFi Networks goes in tandem with the DigitalC plan, which the city plans to invest up to $20 million into. Council paused that funding outline in June due to concerns over DigitalC's business structure, but the Utilities Committee eventually signed off on the condition that DigitalC meet certain performance metrics in signing up customers.
"We all know high-speed internet is simply a requirement to live, work, and play in the world today," Bibb said Tuesday. "This incredible investment and partnership from the State will help us accomplish our vision of ensuring every single Clevelander will have access to an affordable, powerful internet plan. It doesn’t matter what neighborhood you are in or how much money you make — if you live in Cleveland, you will be able to use this necessary utility for only $18 per month. That's $216 per year — a perfect fit synonymous to the area code of Clevelanders."
The grant money will come from the Ohio Department of Development's BroadbandOhio initiative, with the entire project expected to cost roughly $53 million following further funding provided by various nonprofits. DigitalC is expected to break ground later this month and have the entire system up and running by the middle of 2025.