Broadband Lake-to-River Backbone Fiber Expansion

Broadband Study and Proposal

The Eastgate Regional Council of Governments conducted a Regional Broadband Feasibility Study to evaluate Broadband Internet Service throughout Ashtabula, Trumbull, and Mahoning Counties.

Read StudyRead Proposal

Broadband Study Kickoff Livestream - Tuesday, June 29th at 1:30pm

State Route 11 Engineering Analysis

Eastgate is advancing the Regional Broadband Feasibility Study recommendation to deliver robust communications infrastructure to the region. The end goal is to bring reliable, high-speed broadband internet access to residents, businesses, and key project stakeholders in the region and eliminate the current digital divide.

This implementation plan builds upon the feasibility study and facilitates a plan for the build-out of an open-access middle-mile fiber optic cable backbone within Ashtabula, Trumbull, Mahoning, and Columbiana Counties. This middle-mile network will be constructed along State Route 11 (SR-11) utilizing the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) right-of-way (ROW) from the approximate limits of Lake Erie (Ashtabula County) to the Ohio River (Columbiana County).

Read The Implementation Plan

Broadband Accessibilty Maps

Ashtabula

Trumbull

Mahoning

Columbiana

Broadband News

USDA Announces Distance Learning & Telemedicine Grants

12/7/2022

The USDA has announced Distance Learning & Telemedicine Grants. This competitive program helps rural communities use advanced telecommunications technology to connect to each other - and the world - overcoming the effects of remoteness and low population density. We encourage you to consider projects that promote equity and economic opportunity in rural America, specifically those that advance these key priorities:

  • Supporting health care needs stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, and helping prepare for future pandemic events
  • Ensuring racial equity
  • Rebuilding our rural economy
  • Addressing the climate crisis

Congress has provided USDA Rural Development $60 million in DLT funding this fiscal year. As permitted, we also will make available any unused appropriations from prior fiscal years, and can increase funding if additional appropriations become available.

To learn more about recently funded DLT projects, Rural Development has developed a map of recently funded DLT projects.   All upcoming events will be posted on the events program tab.

For further information, please visit: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/telecommunications-programs/distance-learning-telemedicine-grants


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