This week, officials from the state and Cuyahoga County announced an exciting new partnership to expand broadband access to approximately 25,000 households in Cuyahoga County.
 
The State of Ohio and Cuyahoga County are partnering together on a $20 million partnership with the non-profit PCs for People to provide in-home, high speed internet access to many of Cuyahoga County’s least connected communities.
 
Over the next three years, PCs for People will build out a fixed wireless network to connect 20,000 households. Wired service to multi-dwelling housing units will reached an additional 5,000 households. These households are primarily located in areas where more than 20 percent of the population is unconnected to broadband and the average income is below the county median income.
 
The anticipated cost of the service will be $15 per month. Those residents who qualify for the federal Affordable Connectivity Program are eligible to have this cost fully covered through the program’s $30 per month subsidy. PCs for People will also provide computers at no or low-cost to qualifying families.
 
“Some residents are forced to choose between access to the internet and paying for their next meal. No one should ever have to make that choice,” said County Executive Armond Budish. “The State has pledged $9.7 million to match the County’s commitment to connect residents to affordable, high-speed internet. This initiative makes it clear that the partners understand that this is not just an investment in lasting infrastructure, but an investment into our residents’ well-being.”
 
“This project is a result of focused efforts on both the state and local level to address a critical need in Cuyahoga County,” said Lt. Governor Husted. “In order to participate in the modern economy, education and healthcare system, Ohioans need access to broadband, and with this announcement, we are making that access a reality. As our administration continues to prioritize broadband expansion, we look forward to working with our partners on the local level, along with the private sector, to bridge the digital divide wherever we can.”
 
Additional details on the expansion project can be accessed here.

Ohio Supreme Court invalidates second congressional map
 

The Ohio Supreme Court this week once again invalidated a congressional district map. In a 4-3 split decision, the court held that the latest congressional map, passed on March 2, unduly favors Republican Party candidates. State lawmakers will have 30 days to respond to the invalidation. If they fail to do so, the Ohio Redistricting Commission would have another 30 days to draw a new map.
 
The ruling will not impact 2022 congressional races but will apply to 2024 contests. The results of the 2022 May primary election are unaffected by the ruling.