Ohio Awards Nearly $23.7M in Pole Replacement Funding
Ohio awarded nearly $23.7 million in broadband infrastructure funding Friday through its broadband pole replacement and undergrounding program, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) announced. The program, administered by BroadbandOhio, the state's broadband office, will fund six ISPs' projects, spanning 23 counties. The selected ISPs -- Ohio Gig, Charter, South Central Power, Logan County Gig, the Southern Ohio Communications Co. and JB Nets -- submitted 67 applications covering 1,333 utility poles and 3,622 undergroundings.
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The program reimburses ISPs on a first-come, first-served basis for pole replacements, mid-span pole installations and undergrounding projects in unserved areas. ISPs may receive 75% of eligible costs, up to $7,500 per pole, for removing and modifying utility poles. Reimbursements for undergrounding include digging trenches, performing directional boring, installing conduits and sealing trenches. BroadbandOhio will continue reimbursing providers until June 1, 2029, or until funding is exhausted.