Connect Ohio Applauds Columbus Metropolitan Library’s National Medal for Community Service Award

Connect Ohio congratulates Columbus Metropolitan Library on its award from the Institute of Museum and Library Services

Columbus, Ohio – Connect Ohio is pleased to congratulate the Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML), on receiving The National Medal for Community Service.

The award issued last Tuesday, October 25, in Washington, D.C., by the Institute of Museums and Library Service (IMLS), named CML one of this year’s 10 winners. The award is considered the nation’s highest honor for museums and libraries for extraordinary civic, educational, economic, environmental, and social contributions.

Recipients must demonstrate innovative approaches to public service and community outreach. CML was recognized for its job help centers, homework help centers and Ready to Read Corps, all of which help to make a difference in the lives of people in the community. Patrick Losinski, executive director of CML, highlighted the library’s partnerships for its ability to do this work. Connect Ohio was noted as a CML community partner through its Every Citizen Online (ECO) program.

“I’m always humbled by our national recognition for the work we do at CML,” said Losinski, “Humbled because it is this community’s good faith and deep love for this library that allows us to be great.”

CML is a sub-recipient of Connect Ohio’s ECO grant and participates in holding ECO basic computer training classes.

“Congratulations to CML--this recognition comes as no surprise,” said Stu Johnson, executive director of Connect Ohio, “CML continues to be our best performing ECO sub-recipient. We offer a special thanks to Steve Hipes, CML team leader and ECO project manager, and his team of dedicated staff.”

Find additional information about the Every Citizen Online program

View a press release detailing the program

View Connect Ohio’s Every Citizen Online televised PSAs

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About Connect Ohio: Connect Ohio, a division of Connected Nation, is a nonprofit, technology-neutral public-private partnership that works with telecommunications providers, business and community leaders, information technology companies, researchers, public agencies, libraries and universities in an effort to help extend affordable high-speed Internet service to every Ohio household. For more information about what Connect Ohio is doing to accelerate technology in Ohio's communities, visit http://www.connectohio.org


Related Links: Connect Ohio on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ConnectOhio
Connect Ohio on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ConnectOH

Connect Ohio’s Every Citizen Online Broadband Adoption Program Sees Early Success

More than 10,000 Ohio adults have registered for free basic computer training offered throughout the state

COLUMBUS – Connect Ohio is pleased to announce more than 5,700 adults have completed the Every Citizen Online free basic computer training since the program’s launch December 20, 2010. More than 10,000 adults have registered for the free 6-hour course, which is offered in libraries and community centers across Ohio.

“Ohioans have already shown great interest in the Every Citizen Online program,” said Tom Fritz, Connect Ohio executive director. “We’re pleased that almost 6,000 adults in 60 counties have completed the training already, putting the program well on its way to success. Since January, more than 200 training locations have begun to offer free classes, with more coming aboard each week. We’re excited at the opportunity to prepare Ohioans without high-speed Internet for a technologically-driven society and to introduce them to a wide range of communication, education, economic, and healthcare tools available to them online.”

The program is available to any Ohio adult and trainees come from a wide range of backgrounds, including small business owners, persons interested in increasing their education, job seekers, and seniors who have waited to adopt technology.

“The class opened up knowledge of the computer and the Internet for me,” said Stephen Morozowsky, a small business owner in Zanesville. “Now, I communicate with my clients through e-mail. I also order my business supplies online. I can shop and compare prices, which I hadn’t been able to do before. It’s a great added convenience.”

Morozowsky received training at the John McIntire Public Library in March.

Early surveys indicate that 91% of trainees intend to become regular broadband users at home as a result of the training.

In partnership with 213 libraries, community colleges, and educational and workforce centers across the state, the program offers free computer and broadband training to any interested Ohio adult. The training curriculum includes a basic introduction to computers, an introduction to the Internet, as well as exploring the tools and benefits of using the Internet. Participants are helped to establish an e-mail account and provided with additional training resources to help them continue to learn and use information available online.

The goal of the Every Citizen Online project, funded by the National Telecommunication and Information Agency (NTIA)’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, is to train more than 200,000 state residents by early 2013 and to generate 75,000 new broadband adopters in Ohio. The scope of the 3-year program includes 80,000 training hours, more than 2,000 computers provided to libraries and community colleges, the immediate creation of 136 jobs, and a projected increase in direct economic growth of $36 million annually.

A complete list of program details and information on participating locations can be found at http://connectohio.org/consumer_training or by calling 1-855-NOW-I-CAN (669-4226). Free self-paced training is being offered online for those unable to attend classes. Self-paced training can be completed by visiting http://eco.connectohio.org/.

Additional information regarding the Every Citizen Online program can be found at http://connectohio.org/consumer_training/.

View Connect Ohio’s Every Citizen Online televised public service announcements: http://connectohio.org/consumer_training/media.php.

Related Links:

Connect Ohio on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ConnectOhio

Connect Ohio on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ConnectOH

Download Press Release

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Connect Ohio Launches YouTube Video PSA Contest

Winners may be selected for upcoming statewide public service announcements, receive an iPad

COLUMBUS – Ohio residents now have a chance to become the stars of an upcoming statewide public service campaign. Connect Ohio, a non-profit public-private partnership, has launched a YouTube video public service announcement contest to gather meaningful stories of Ohioans using broadband technology. The winning video(s) will be 30- or 60-seconds in length and demonstrate the usefulness of the Internet to the daily lives of Ohioans, creative ways people use Internet technology, and how “Life is better with Broadband.” The contest winner(s) will receive an Apple iPad and may be selected to appear in Connect Ohio’s Every Citizen Online public service announcements.

The Every Citizen Online program offers free basic computer and Internet training to adults in Ohio to introduce new users to a wide range of communication, education, and healthcare tools available online. Connect Ohio has partnered with more than 100 libraries and community colleges across the state to offer the training. A statewide public awareness campaign was launched by Connect Ohio in December 2010 and included television, radio, and print mediums. Additional public service announcements will be produced in April 2011.

Contest rules and guidelines can be found at http://connectohio.org/consumer_training/video_contest.php or by e-mailing youtubecontest@connectohio.org. Videos must be uploaded to YouTube.com, and then submitted to Connect Ohio at http://connectohio.org/consumer_training/video_contest.php. Entries are due by March 21, 2011, and winners will be announced in April.

For more information on the Every Citizen Online program, visit http://connectohio.org/consumer_training or call 1-855-NOW-I-CAN (669-42260) to find a local training location.

View Connect Ohio’s Every Citizen Online televised public service announcements: http://connectohio.org/consumer_training/media.php.

Download Press Release

Connected Nation’s Ohio and Illinois Programs Launch New Interactive Mapping Tool

Connect Ohio and Connect Illinois Programs Now Have Latest Broadband Mapping Technology

Washington, D.C. –Today, Connected Nation launched its new interactive broadband mapping platform in its state-based initiatives of Ohio and Illinois making it publicly available on both state’s websites: www.connectohio.org and www.connectillinois.org.

BroadbandStat is designed to provide a multi-functional and comprehensive view of broadband in a state as a roadmap for increased high-speed Internet. Both states held live online demonstrations for more than 200 stakeholders, community leaders, broadband providers, and others outlining the usefulness of the new mapping platform.

Connect Ohio’s Executive Director Tom Fritz explained some of the meaningful ways the average user can use the tool.

“Ohio consumers now have the ability to quickly and easily find participating providers that offer broadband service to their homes,” Fritz said. “The application will also help broadband providers, Ohio municipalities, and economic development organizations pinpoint exactly which areas should be targeted for broadband expansion.”

The broadband-related data can be used for grant writing, broadband investment, economic development, and it gives the public the ability to find information about broadband providers down to the street level. The software allows providers to calculate feasibility plans which could help them decide to expand their business or offer services at a reduced rate to disadvantaged individuals or families, Fritz said.

Morton O’Kelly, chair of the Department of Geography at Ohio State University, complimented the efficiency and use of the tool.

“The mapping tool provides a snapshot of current coverage at a high level of detail,” said O’Kelly. “The assembly of data from major providers is key to a comprehensive portrait of state-wide coverage. As a geographer, I am immediately able to see significant regional contrasts, as well as gain a greater appreciation for the challenges facing providers as they attempt to complete coverage in lower density rural areas.”

Additionally in Ohio, J.C. Wallace, executive director of the Ohio Economic Development Association, noted, “High-speed broadband connectivity is critical to almost every business in Ohio, but especially in manufacturing, distribution, healthcare, retail, and tourism.

“The new tool developed by Connect Ohio should help economic developers market their broadband assets to new and existing businesses, and should also provide our members with vital information to encourage new companies to make investments in broadband services,” Wallace said.

In Illinois, Todd Heinrich, CEO of Genesis Health Technologies, LLC, had this to say: “The broadband mapping tool offered through Connected Nation is one of the better tools we have seen to date, specifically for mapping and drilling in on targeted areas for broadband development and other projects. The drawing capabilities coupled with the measurement capabilities are very useful when, as an example, plotting potential routes of new fiber, while also being able to mark and overlay existing fiber routes with the color feature. Great for being able to accurately budget either middle-mile and last-mile loop.”

Connected Nation joined forces with ESRI, a market leader in geographic information system (GIS) software, to create the revolutionary software.

Along with Ohio and Illinois, Connected Nation will be releasing BroadbandStat in nine more states and the territory of Puerto Rico. BroadbandStat was launched in Tennessee earlier this month.

All Connected Nation partner states and territories will be using BroadbandStat to organize the results of data they are currently collecting on available broadband services. This activity is supported by State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program funds that are made available through the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 for improving broadband accessibility across the nation.

Related Links:
Press Release: Connected Nation Launches New Interactive Mapping Tool in Tennessee

Blog: Connected Nation Previews Interactive Broadband Mapping Tool at Technology Policy Exhibition in Washington, D.C.

More About BroadbandStat

Download press release here.

Ohio Awarded $1.8 Million for Broadband Mapping

Recovery Act funding to provide consumers and policymakers with improved data on broadband service

Columbus, OH – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today announced the State of Ohio was awarded a $1.8 million federal grant to help implement the Strickland Administration’s plan to compile and map broadband availability in Ohio, including location, available speed and type of technology delivering the service.

“We created Connect Ohio in 2008 to determine where Ohio’s broadband infrastructure exists – and where it doesn’t exist – to better target the investments that will help us reach our goal of providing broadband access to all Ohioans,” Strickland said. “This grant will accelerate our efforts to expand economic and educational opportunities to more Ohioans.”

The program, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will increase broadband access and adoption through better data collection and broadband planning. The data will be displayed in the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s national broadband map, a tool that will inform policymakers' efforts and provide consumers with improved information on the broadband Internet services available to them.

Ohio’s program is administered by the Ohio Department of Administrative Services in collaboration with Connect Ohio, a public-private partnership established to work with telecommunication providers and communities to bring digital inclusion to Ohio residents and businesses.

“We are pleased to be working with the Strickland Administration to help create and enhance a comprehensive broadband map in the state of Ohio, and we’re particularly pleased to provide continuing broadband planning efforts to local communities across the state,” said Tom Fritz, executive director of Connect Ohio. “We applaud NTIA for working diligently to create a national broadband map and are honored to continue the work in Ohio to provide tools that will enable economic, social, and educational benefits to residents and businesses across the state.”

This grant will assist the State of Ohio to deliver more comprehensive and accurate broadband mapping data identifying coverage to a higher degree of accuracy, develop state and county-level broadband maps, support existing spatial development projects in Ohio, aid in the development and maintenance of a national broadband map, and fund statewide initiatives directed at broadband planning.

The Ohio Department of Administrative Services will receive the funds through the State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

Since 2008, Connect Ohio has benchmarked Ohio’s broadband availability and usage through the use of surveys and data gathered through its relationships with broadband providers across the state. Detailed information is available at a statewide and county level for businesses and residents regarding broadband availability, access, subscribership, barriers to adoption, computer ownership and average subscriber rates.

View the entire press release here.