Columbus, Ohio
In February 2022, Ohio cities and organizations advocating for high-speed, high quality Internet access launched a formal association. Broadband Access Ohio’s (BAO) believes that communities deserve the flexibility to offer broadband programs that meet the needs of their residents and encourage economic development.
Next Century Cities (NCC) has 12 members in Ohio, including Bexley, Canton, Columbus, East Liverpool, Fairlawn, Granville, Hudson, Medina County, Shaker Heights, Yellow Springs, Zanesville, and our newest member, Cuyahoga County. Local leaders from NCC’s membership played a central role in developing the organization, including several who are on the BAO Board of Directors:
Mayor William Roth, City of Fairlawn, Chairman of the Board
David Corrado, CEO, Medina County Fiber Network
Paul Leedham, Chief Innovation Officer, City of Hudson
Sam Orth, Director of Technology, City of Columbus
Commissioner Steve Hambley, Medina County
NCC is an inaugural member of BAO. On July 11th, NCC’s Executive Director, Francella Ochillo, Deputy Director, Brian Donoghue, and Senior Policy Counsel, Corian Zacher, joined the monthly meeting to discuss upcoming funding opportunities, local data collection strategies, documentation efforts, and building partnerships.
Increasingly, local leaders are working together in their states and regions to share broadband expertise and resources. NCC is committed to supporting local coalitions and elevating their successes. If NCC can support work in your community, please reach out via email or connect on social media.
Additional Resources
- Group Urges FCC to Clarify its Broadband Data Challenge Process (July 2022)
- How Fixed Broadband Service Providers Can Access the Location Fabric
- Letter to Governor DeWine (February 2022)
- The Ohio Case Study (Aug. 2021)
- What Broadband Advocacy in Ohio Means for Communities Nationwide (July 28, 2021)
- Next Century Cities’ Members Oppose Proposals to Prohibit Municipal Broadband Options in Ohio (June 21, 2021)
- Cuyahoga County Proposes ARPA Funding to Provide Broadband Services Throughout the County
