Toledo Lucas County Public Library and the Center for Regional Development at Bowling Green State University are asking community members across Northwest Ohio to participate in a recent survey to better understand broadband and technology needs.
Given the signing of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in 2021, which allocated $65 billion for broadband expansion nationally, the State of Ohio created a sub-office of the Ohio Department of Development to implement the expansion of the internet and access to technological resources. This office was established as BroadbandOhio.
Earlier this year, BBOH allocated five grants to five regions in the state: Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, Southeast and Central.
The library was named the regional digital inclusion alliance lead for Northwest Ohio and brought on the center to assist. For the library, the grant entails conducting surveying and community listening sessions in a 22-county footprint.
Collected data from these efforts will be used to not only capture the internet/technology needs of Northwest Ohioans but also help guide BBOH on how to/where to make future investments.
It is estimated that Ohio will receive $500 million to $1 billion for, predominately, broadband infrastructure development, as well as funding for strategies that assist in digital skill-building and creating greater access to technology resources.
For BBOH to make the best decisions on where to invest in Northwest Ohio once this money is received, residents are encouraged to take the survey below by June 30, so their needs can be captured. The survey is available in both English and Spanish.
The survey is at: https://bgsu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_084O3a9UifPuWeq.
