Rep. Blackshear's statement as bill to expand access to residential broadband heads to governor's desk
State Rep. Willis Blackshear (D-Dayton) issued a statement applauding the passage of House Bill (HB) 2, a long-held Democratic priority that would create the Ohio Residential Broadband Expansion Program, specifically designed to bring broadband access to unserved residential households in both rural and urban areas of the state. The bill funds $20 million in grants for this year.
“House Bill 2 will help address the digital divide that we see here in the Dayton area. Having access to affordable and reliable broadband has become one of the most critical infrastructure challenges of our time. This bill will improve education, economic growth, civic engagement, public services, and safety. Communities around the state will benefit from this bill and it will help move Ohio forward in the right direction,” said Rep. Blackshear.
After clearing the House, HB 2 now heads to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.