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Ohio is among the states to be receiving part of another $667 million in rural broadband loans and grants, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
This is Round Four in the awarding of USDA Rural Development ReConnect money, and Ohio is getting a $5 million loan for Sycamore Telephone Co, the request for which was sponsored by Sens. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio and Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio; and U.S. Rep. Bob Latt, R-Dist. 5.
"This … investment will be used to deploy a fiber-to-the-premises network to provide high-speed internet. This network will benefit 38 people and four farms in Seneca, Crawford and Wyandot counties in Ohio," the USDA said.
Think about that -- a more-than $5 million loan that will benefit 38 people on four farms.
That may sound like a big price tag for an effort with a limited scope. In this case, however, Ohio is fortunate to have representatives in Washington, D.C., who know affordable rural broadband connectivity is worth every penny.
We know a little bit about that ourselves here in Appalachia. Many households have limited or no access to high-speed broadband, but that is changing with the installation of underground lines across Belmont County courtesy of Belmont GIG.
Officials must not let off the pressure in making sure the federal government continues caring about all Ohioans.