Letter to the Editor

  • August 27, 2010
  • 334
                        
To the Editor: Appalachia is taking the next step. This week’s announcement that the federal government has awarded $66.5 million in grant money to help bring broadband Internet access to 34 counties in Southeastern Ohio is welcome news. The Internet clearly has moved to the forefront of our culture and only shows further signs of becoming the primary method of communication and learning in the future. Developing and modernizing our infrastructure will ensure decades of success for families, students and future investment opportunities. The long-term effect this grant can have on our communities is reminiscent of President Roosevelt’s Rural Electrification Administration (REA) grants of the early 20th century. In 1937, only 10 percent of rural Ohioans had electricity in their homes. President Roosevelt enacted a grant opportunity similar to the 2010 Broadband Recovery Act (BRA) to create new jobs, stimulate manufacturing and begin to pull the nation out of the Depression. Within two years, it helped bring electricity to 1.5 million farms through 350 rural cooperatives in 45 states. After 10 years, nearly every rural area had electrical access. Like the REA, the new BRA encourages public-private partnerships like the Ohio Middle Mile Consortium (OMMC) to provide Internet access to underserved areas. OMMC is a partnership of broadband providers facilitated by the Ohio Academic Resources Network to create a collaborative and sustainable statewide broadband network. In total, 1,960 new miles of fiber optics will be installed in Southeastern Ohio, creating or saving more than 500 direct jobs and connecting 592 institutions like schools, hospitals, industrial parks and public safety facilities. As you can imagine, the dividends from this investment will be enormous when you consider the potential uses of such a network. I look forward to working with the OMMC and local entities to begin the work of renewing Appalachia’s prospects and our quality of life. Like electrification decades ago, time will prove the BRA’s local benefits. Joshua E. O’Farrell State Representative, 96th Ohio House District Harrison and parts of Tuscarawas and Belmont counties


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