Expanding broadband access in Ohio becomes law

Gov. Mike DeWine signed into law a bill that creates a grant program that government and business groups said is critical to economic development. House Bill 2 creates the state’s first Residential Broadband Expansion Program with grants to offset construction and costs to facilitate expansion of high-speed internet. The plan would be to attack the last mile of connectivity to households. That’s where sponsor Rep. Rick Carfagna (R-Genoa Township) said connection remains cost-prohibitive to providers to extend service. The legislation also creates incentives for private investment into broadband infrastructure in underserved areas. The program offers $20 million for grants, and some think it might not be enough to have a major impact.