Broadband Office Name: BroadbandOhio
BEAD Award Amount: $793.7 M
Ohio Broadband Director: Peter Voderberg
Website: https://broadband.ohio.gov/
Ohio BEAD Program Tracker
| State | IP Vol 1 Approval | IP Vol 2 Approval | Challenge Process Submission Closed | Submitted Challenge Results to NTIA | Challenge Process Results Approved by NTIA | 1-Year Subgrantee Selection Process |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio | Yes | No | No | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Ohio BEAD Program Information
Key Updates
Ohio’s State BEAD Challenge Process will run from June 14 to July 5.
The Challenge Process Rebuttal phase will take place from July 22 to August 12. During the Challenge Process Final Determination phase, which runs from August 13 to September 11, BroadbandOhio will decide which challenges will be sustained or rejected.
Following the NTIA’s review of all information from the challenge process, the final Ohio map used for the ORBEG-BEAD grant program will be published on the BroadbandOhio website.
Ohio BEAD Program Plans & Maps
Ohio BEAD Program Initial Proposal Volume 2: Overview
*Information is subject to change. Ohio is awaiting official approval of Initial Proposal Volume 2 from the NTIA.
BEAD Long-Term Objectives
BroadbandOhio BEAD Program Goals and Objectives
Invest in Last-Mile Infrastructure Deployment:
- Ensure all Ohioans have access to 100/20 Mbps speeds by 2030.
- Increase Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) uptake in Ohio by 45%.
- Ensure all ACP-eligible Ohioans have access to a $30/month plan.
Expand Middle-Mile Networks to Facilitate Last-Mile Deployment:
- Reduce the median cost of middle-mile infrastructure by 5-8%.
- Increase network resiliency.
Remove Barriers to Broadband Deployment and Maximize Asset Reuse:
- Create a standard pricing list for utilizing MARCS towers.
- Facilitate last-mile build-out by reducing make-ready costs through the Pole Replacement Program.
- Keep pace with changing technology and demand.
Connect Community Anchor Institutions (CAIs):
- Serve CAIs as digital hubs.
- Expand telehealth access and usage through targeted programs.
- Support workforce development initiatives.
- Accelerate adoption, usage, and economic empowerment through the Regional Digital Inclusion Alliance.
Support Ohio’s Farmers:
- Ensure 100% of farmers have access to high-speed internet to improve productivity and enable digital agriculture uptake.
Enable Safe and Easy Movement of People and Goods:
- Make foundational investments to enable intelligent transportation systems.
- Institute a policy to accelerate fiber deployment along roads during construction.
- Create an additional SMART highway.
Ohio BEAD Program Project Area Design
In Ohio, project areas for the BEAD program are being designed based on Census Block Groups (CBGs). Covering Community Anchor Institutions (CAIs) within these project areas is optional, allowing flexibility for applicants to include them if desired. This approach ensures that broadband deployment efforts are focused on specific, defined areas while providing the option to extend coverage to key institutions that can serve as digital hubs.
Ohio BEAD Program Extremely High Cost Threshold
BroadbandOhio will set a preliminary Extremely High Cost Per Location Threshold (EHC) by leveraging greenfield fiber Net Present Value (NPV) and subsidy cost-modeling data provided through the Eligible Entity Toolkit. Additionally, BroadbandOhio will review and consider subsidy level data from applications in the ORBEG Round 2, which will take place during Q4 2023 and Q1 2024.
This preliminary EHC value will be published prior to the start of the application process to enhance transparency. BroadbandOhio reserves the right to reduce the preliminary EHC if a lower threshold is needed to maximize coverage and fiber deployment.
BEAD Deployment Subgrantee Selection
BroadbandOhio is asking for the following preregistration evidence from subgrantees and compliance with: Financial capability, managerial capability, operational capability, technical capability, ownership info, public funding info, compliance with laws, cybersecurity/supply chain compliance, and BABA/EHP/NEPA/NHPA compliance.
Primary Scoring Criteria for Priority Broadband Projects
- 550 pts – Minimal BEAD Outlay
- 150 pts – Broadband Service Cost
- 300 pts – Share of Unserved and Underserved Locations within a Project Area
- 100 pts – Number of Eligible Addresses Passed
- 100 pts – Affordability
- 100 pts – Fair Labor Practices
Secondary Scoring Criteria
- 25 pts – Speed to Deployment
- 50 pts – Speed of Network
- 50 pts – Technical Capabilities
- 25 pts – Local Support for Application
- 38 pts – General Experience and Technical/Financial Ability
- 37 pts – Years Providing Service in Ohio
- 25 pts – 1Gbps Symmetrical Speed to CAIs
BEAD Non-Deployment Subgrantee Selection
BroadbandOhio does not anticipate having surplus BEAD funds available for non-deployment activities. Consequently, they have not developed a plan for selecting subgrantees for eligible non-deployment activities. This focus ensures that all available BEAD funds are dedicated to addressing broadband deployment needs across Ohio.
BEAD Eligible Entity Implementation
Ohio, the Office of Workforce Transformation (OWT), and BroadbandOhio propose leveraging $50 million in funding to develop the required workforce for broadband deployment and maintenance. The plan includes the following initiatives:
- Sustain Sector Partnership Through 2028:
- Continue supporting the Sector Partnership, which has already launched 11 training programs, with additional programs planned.
- Sustain Regional Nodes:
- Maintain the six regional nodes selected for the JobsOhio region through 2028.
- Fund Education and Workforce Initiatives:
- Invest in various education and workforce development programs throughout Ohio.
- Develop Certificate Programs:
- Create additional certificate programs to enhance skills relevant to the broadband sector.
- Develop Degree Programs:
- Introduce an associate degree program at community colleges and establish a major/minor in broadband-related fields at universities.
- Expand Pre-Apprenticeship and Apprenticeship Programs:
- Increase the availability of pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs to prepare individuals for careers in broadband.
- Provide Last-Dollar Tuition Assistance:
- Offer financial assistance to cover any remaining tuition costs after other aid has been applied.
- Support Faculty Recruitment and Retention:
- Fund initiatives to recruit and retain qualified faculty for broadband-related programs.
- Fund Dedicated Career Services:
- Establish career services dedicated to supporting students and job seekers in the broadband field.
- Fund Marketing and Awareness:
- Invest in marketing campaigns to raise awareness of broadband career opportunities and educational programs.
- Run Challenge and Subgrantee Selection Process:
- Oversee the process for selecting subgrantees and addressing challenges related to broadband deployment.
BEAD Local, Tribe, and Regional Broadband Planning Process
Broadband and Workforce Partnerships:
- Ohio Broadband Alliance
- Broadband Expansion Program Authority
- Broadband Working Group
- Regional Digital Inclusion Alliances (RDIAs)
- Broadband and 5G Sector Partnership
- Ohio Industry Sector Partnerships
Infrastructure Buildout Partnerships:
- Holds weekly meetings with OARnet’s leadership.
- Participates in conferences and panels such as WISPA, NCTA, and FBA.
- Conducts site visits to assess infrastructure needs and progress.
Local Government and Government Associations:
- Collaborates with the Governor’s Office of Appalachia (GOA).
- Engages with the Ohio Township Association.
- Partners with the County Commissioners Association of Ohio.
Project-Specific Coalitions:
- Engages with the Middle Mile Coalition.
- Works with the ARISE and Tri-County Coalition for Youngstown on specific projects.
Surveys and Data Collection:
- Conducted surveys over the past three years to identify barriers to broadband access and adoption.
Digital Opportunity Engagements:
- Engages biweekly with JobsOhio.
- Holds monthly meetings with PCs for People.
- Regularly engages with Riverside through monthly meetings.
- Conducts site visits and ad-hoc meetings to foster digital opportunities.
Public Sessions and Listening Tours:
- Conducted 15 public sessions about the FCC Challenge process.
- Held a 40-session statewide listening tour, totaling 50 sessions to gather public input and feedback.
BEAD Labor Standards & Protection
BroadbandOhio requires all BEAD subgrantees to submit the following information:
A record of past compliance with federal/employment laws:
- Must address info on deployment projects within the last 3 years.
- Certification form from an Officer/Director level employee of past compliance.
- Written confirmation that subgrantee has disclosed any violations from contractors within the last 3 years.
- Discussion of workforce plan
Plans for ensuring compliance with federal/employment laws:
- How subgrantee will ensure compliance in its labor/employment practices.
- Info on applicable wage scales, wage, and overtime practices for each class of employee expected to be involved in physical construction of the network.
- How subgrantee will ensure implementation of workplace safety committees.
- Comply with the Prevailing Wages Act.
- Other items as outlined in the BEAD NOFO.
BEAD Minority Business Enterprises / Women’s Business Enterprises / Labor Surplus Area Firms Inclusion
BroadbandOhio plans to implement several strategies to support Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and Women Business Enterprises (WBEs) in their broadband initiatives:
- Inclusion on Solicitation Lists:
- Ensure qualified MBEs and WBEs are placed on solicitation lists.
- Targeted Solicitation:
- Actively solicit MBEs and WBEs whenever they are potential sources for contracts or subcontracts.
- Dividing Requirements:
- Divide total requirements, when economically feasible, into smaller tasks or quantities to maximize participation by MBEs and WBEs.
- Encouraging Participation Through Delivery Schedules:
- Establish delivery schedules that encourage participation by MBEs and WBEs.
- Utilizing Support Services:
- Use the services and assistance of organizations such as the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) of the Department of Commerce.
- Collaboration:
- Collaborate with the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (NDED), Nebraska Department of Administrative Services (NDAS), and Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT).
- Tracking and Reporting:
- Work with the Minority Business Development Division to track the number of MBEs, WBEs, and Locally-Situated Firms (LSFs) on solicitation lists.
BEAD Cost & Barrier Reduction
1. Promoting the use of existing infrastructure.
2. Promoting and adapting dig-once policies.
3. Streamlining permitting processes.
4. Streamlining cost-effective access to poles, conduits, and easements.
5. Streamlining rights of way, including the imposition of reasonable access requirements.
BEAD Low-Cost Broadband Service Option
BroadbandOhio adopts the definition of a low-cost option as outlined in the BEAD Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). As of August 2023, the estimated Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) enrollment rate among 1,984,218 eligible Ohioan households is 50%.
Contingency Plan for ACP Non-Renewal: In the event that the ACP is not renewed, the Broadband Expansion Program Authority will determine eligibility criteria for the low-cost option in Ohio. This low-cost option will then apply to those residents deemed eligible by the authority.
This approach ensures continued access to affordable broadband services for Ohioans, even if the ACP program is discontinued.
BEAD Middle-Class Affordability
Customer Service Rate Table Requirement:
- As part of the application content, BroadbandOhio will require each applicant to submit a customer service rate table.
- This table must specify the committed rate for a plan that aligns with the specified speed requirements.
Statewide Average Price Calculation:
- BroadbandOhio will use the submitted rate tables to calculate a statewide average price among BEAD prospective subgrantees for plans with the specified speed specifications.
Regulatory Requirements for MDUs:
- Ohio has regulatory requirements in place to promote access to Multi-Dwelling Units (MDUs), including the Qualified Allocation Plan for the Housing Tax Credit (HTC).