Rural businesses in Ohio face limited broadband access

If you walk into a retail store in southern Ohio, you might see a "cash only" sign sitting in the window. Cash, unlike credit card machines, does not rely on internet access to work. In an area with limited options for high-speed internet access, some businesses struggle with credit card machines. Up until five years ago, M&M Feed Supply, in Guernsey County, was one of those businesses. It had dial-up internet, which allowed them to use the machine, but only in the store where it could be physically connected. This prevented the store from offering drive-through checkout, which the store owners, Darlene and Joe Miser, consider better customer service. Then, high-speed internet became not a luxury, but a necessity.  So, over the last five years, the Misers have spent over $30,000 just to get internet access for their store.