How Connect Ohio tracks broadband availability inquiries

When consumers do not have broadband service or they are unsure of the providers in their area, they are able to submit a broadband inquiry to Connect Ohio via our website (http://connectohio.org/), e-mail (info@connectohio.org), or phone (866-881-9424). Submitting a broadband inquiry allows Connect Ohio to update any mapping errors in BroadbandStat and provide consumers with provider resources they may not realize exist in their area.

Many people may wonder what happens with all the broadband inquiries that have been gathered in Ohio. So, here’s the scoop.

Step 1: Connect Ohio staff research the address on BroadbandStat, which tracks broadband coverage and providers across the state, and notifies the consumer on providers that claim to provide service to their address.

Step 2: If a provider is listed, but the consumer has verified that coverage is not available, Connect Ohio’s data validation team travel to the location to verify if a wireless signal is present.

Step 3: If a signal is present, the providers in the area are notified that service should be available to the consumer based on the frequency present. If a signal is not present, BroadbandStat is updated and the provider is informed that its map will need to be updated to reflect the lack of service.

If no service is available, Connect Ohio tracks the information in our database and notifies providers that a gap in service exists. The more broadband inquiries received for a particular area, the more enticing it is for providers to plan an expansion project in your area!

Every Citizen Online program helping Ohio small businesses get online

Connect Ohio’s Every Citizen Online (ECO) program helps Ohioans learn basic computer and Internet skills for free at local organizations. Not only is the ECO program helping citizens of Ohio feel comfortable using a computer, but the program is also helping small business owners get connected, creating additional growth and outreach opportunities.

Stephen Morozowsky completed ECO training at John McIntire Public Library in March. Morozowsky is the owner of Mantis Kung Fu Taiji Academy in Zanesville, where he teaches martial arts to area youth and senior citizens.

“The (ECO) class opened up knowledge of the computer and the Internet for me,” said Morozowsky. “Now, I communicate with my students 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.”

Pat Homier is also a small business owner who now communicates with customers by e-mail after completing ECO training.

Homier has owned Touches of Drapery in New Bavaria for 43 years. She recently received ECO training at the Putnam County Educational Service Center.

“This (ECO class) was a God-send,” Homier shared. “I only somewhat used the computer and Internet before, but now I’m able to use it better and for many things.”

Homier mentioned a few tasks she is now able to use her new knowledge toward, including business document formatting, connecting with other businesses online, paying bills online, and researching marketing ideas. She says she looks forward to soon marketing her business online in order to reach a new generation of customers.

Anthony Wilcox, in Columbus, is creating a start-up company. He knew creating a new clothing label would be difficult without utilizing the Internet. Wilcox received ECO training at the Godman Guild through the OSU Learning Center.

“(The Internet) is new and exciting for me,” said Wilcox. “I’m contacting business investors online and creating professional presentations on the computer.”

Wilcox said the training was just what he was looking for.

Zanesville, New Bavaria and Columbus

More Connect Ohio PSAs are in the making!

You've likely seen or heard Connect Ohio's current public service announcements (PSAs) letting Ohioans know of the free basic computer and Internet training available to them at their local library, community college, and education centers through the Every Citizen Online program. The second, and final, round of PSAs were produced last week by Brainstorm Media and are currently in post-production. They should begin hitting the air on Ohio Association of Broadcasters and Ohio Educational Television Stations, Inc. member TV and radio stations in July 2011.

This round of production was a lot of fun -mainly because we were able to include many individuals involved in the YouTube PSA contest submissions!

You may recognize Turp from an Honorable Mention awardee video:

Maddie and Lanny were talent in one of the winning videos:

Connect Ohio staff even joined the fun.

Nicole (as ECO participant & mom)

Katie (as ECO Instructor)

Benj (as ECO participant)

Tom (as ECO Participant)

Connect Ohio would like to give a special thank you to the Grandview Heights Public Library for allowing us the use of their Every Citizen Online laptop computers and training room!

Check out all the behind the scene photos from production day on the Connect Ohio Facebook page or by clicking here.

Stay tuned for a sneak peek at our newest Every Citizen Online PSAs!

Computers (Really) Don’t Byte!

Written by Jim Frasier, Warren County Career Center

Participants of the free Computers Don’t Byte class (also known as Every Citizen Online class) offered at the Salem Township Public Library are enjoying their newfound technological knowledge.

Judy Gay from Morrow used to get her computer help from her husband. Since his passing, she found that there was a lot she did not know about the computer. She says the class is “helping her catch up with technology”.

Steve Blackburn from Maineville is 71 and retired. He says when he worked in business, his employees took care of his computer needs. Now, he needs to learn on his own.

Both Steve and Judy credit their basic computer class teacher, Peggy Goodwin, for their technological success. They share that Peggy creates a great learning environment, is patient with everyone, and keeps her cool when a class participant doesn’t quite keep up. They both note that Peggy provides individual help and coaching.

The Computers Don’t Byte class, offered at the Salem Township Public Library in partnership with the Warren County Career Center, meets for three two-hour sessions and has no homework, no tests, no grades, and is FREE!

The course is part of Connect Ohio’s statewide effort, the Every Citizen Online program, to help more people get connected to the Internet and learn how to use a computer in the process. The class is also being offered at the following Warren County locations: Franklin and the Mary L. Cook libraries, Workforce One, and the Warren County Career Center.

The Computers Don’t Byte class starts with the basics, such as how to turn a computer on, how to use a mouse, related terminology (desktop, download, right click, etc.), how to access the Internet, and how to set up and use an e-mail account. Students get a kick out of helping each other during the class. Everyone is in the same boat and most are of retirement age, including the instructors.

Many of the participants have said that a relative bought or gave them a computer, but they hadn’t figured out how to use it. One gentleman shared that his daughter has tried to teach him, but she ‘always goes too fast for him to learn’. Others come to class saying, “I need help. I don’t even know how to turn the darn thing on.”

A common thread motivating people to participate in the free class is the ability to send and receive e-mail with their grandchildren.

According to instructors Peggy Goodwin and Don Coty, many of their students come to class feeling nervous and hesitant, saying they don’t want to ‘break’ anything. By the time they finish, their level of confidence has improved tremendously and they are much more comfortable navigating their computer.

Both Steve and Judy are enjoying the opportunity to learn new things and feel they are catching up with technology, their peers, and their grandchildren. Both say they want to keep learning and continue to improve their computer skills. They’re also making new friends and having a great time.

For more information about the classes, call the Warren County Career Center – 513.932.8145, x4011. Classes are offered weekly at one or more locations.

Contact Information:
Jim Frasier
Warren County Career Center
Jim.Frasier@mywccc.org
513.932.8145, x4011

Community support vital to Henry County ECO success

The Every Citizen Online program at Liberty Center Public Library in Henry County was made possible by strong community support and the passion of its Friends of the Library organization. Friends of the Library appreciated the importance of the ECO program and how it could positively affect their community.

ECO training participants Patsy Leatherman & Dan Chambers

The small, all-volunteer organization of seven provided Liberty Center Public Library with the up-front financial investment needed for the library to receive 10 new computers to enable its offering of the ECO program.

“We’re a small group, but we try to do what we can,” said Sue Garrettson, Friends of the Library president. “Our largest fundraising event is an annual lasagna dinner before a high school football game. We’ve held chicken dinners, tea events, and scrapbooking gatherings, too.”

“Without the Every Citizen Online program and Friends of the Library, we would have never been able to afford 10 new computers,” said Brian Eckel-Hare, library director.

Not only are the new computers used for ECO training classes, but are open to public use at the library, as well. Eckel-Hare says many patrons take advantage of the opportunity for Internet access at the library, especially if they do not have it at home.

ECO Instructor Rick Roell with participant Julie Engler

The community continues its support of the ECO program, spreading awareness through word of mouth. Staff, friends, and program graduates are passing on class information to others. The result has been full classes.

The library offers the ECO training series of three, 2-hour classes once a month with a capacity of 10 people per class. Thus far, about 30 adults in Henry County have taken advantage of the free training since its start in January.

“Many of our participants have a computer at home that they never use or they just want to know what a computer and the Internet is all about,” said Eckel-Hare. “The class feedback has been positive. They’ve enjoyed the training and say they’ve learned a lot.”

Connect Ohio Assists Jackson County With RFP Release

The Jackson County Economic Development Board (JCEDB), with help from Connect Ohio's technical outreach team, recently released a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the construction of a wireless broadband network throughout the county.

The RFP was a result of months of planning between JCEDB, Connect Ohio, Jackson County officials, municipalities and villages throughout the county, as well as the Jackson County Water Company. Connect Ohio was able to provide data collection, cost estimates, and propagation studies in order to create a customized business model for broadband expansion in the county, which is included in the RFP.


“The citizens of Jackson County have been well served by the level of effort and dedication of resources that went into this project,” said Bart Winegar, Connect Ohio technical outreach manager. “We are hopeful that the broadband provider community will recognize the full and unified support of the county to help them succeed.”


“Connect Ohio has been an invaluable partner in the RFP process,” said Sam Brady, Jackson County economic development specialist. “Their expertise has been a huge asset to Jackson County and its project partners.”

“This has been an ideal public/private partnership at all levels with JCEDB, Connect Ohio, and our local government partners,” said Jennifer Jacobs, Jackson County Economic Development Board executive director. “This project has displayed the very best of the cooperative spirit among our local leaders to move Jackson County ahead.”

JCEDB released the proposal in an effort to expand the access and availability of broadband Internet services to commercial, residential, and publicly owned locations in Jackson County. The Wireless Internet Service Provider (WISP)-friendly RFP is an invitation to providers to bring broadband to the unserved and underserved residents and businesses of not only Jackson County, but neighboring counties, as well.

According to a statement from JCEDB, the top five most compelling reasons providers should consider responding to the RFP include:
• Single point of contact and low cost access to county-wide towers and water tanks
• Local marketing assistance and community cooperation
• Wireless propagation analysis
• Business case study
• Limited financial assistance to contribute to the project

The RFP is available for view by broadband providers at http://www.jcedb.com.


According to Connect Ohio’s 2008 Consumer Technology Assessment for Jackson County, 27% of households received broadband service to the home, significantly less than the state average at the time, which was 55%.* Additional Jackson County technology statistics can be found on Connect Ohio’s website or by visiting the following link: http://www.connectohio.org/mapping_and_research/county_profiles/jackson/.

*A 2011 Residential Technology Assessment for each county will be available later this year.

ECO Location Receives Help From Area Students

When the Kate Love Simpson-Morgan County library received 20 large boxes, each holding a new computer to enable their Every Citizen Online (ECO) training, library director Blythe Schubert knew just where to turn for help to get the computers from boxes to public use.

John Robbins, teacher of electronics and networking at Morgan High School in McConnelsville, had a class full of juniors and seniors eager to learn. The students build computers daily in class. They even repair computers for those in the community at no cost.

The students jumped at the chance to utilize their technology skills to help set-up the new laptop and desktop computers for their local library. They also connected the devices to the library’s network.

“They build old computers over and over in a lab,” said Robbins. “Rarely do they get to build new computers.”

Robbins, accompanied by 22 students, visited Schubert at the library and had the task completed quickly.

“It was an immense help,” said Schubert. “Each student unpacked a computer. They were unpacked and ready within about an hour! It saved us about 22 hours of work.”

Schubert says the students plan to help with the library’s future IT needs. Robbins continues to keep the new laptop computers current with the library’s network.
The students have plans to reformat about a dozen older computers no longer being used by the library, in order for them to be recycled to others in the community.

“It’s an opportunity to show the students the world is a little bigger than just themselves,” said Robbins.

Kate Love Simpson-Morgan County Library received 10 new laptop and 10 new desktop units as a sub-recipient of the ECO program. The laptops enable the organization to provide a mobile computer lab, which it utilizes to offer ECO training at its branch in Chesterhill. It plans to utilize the mobile lab further, with hopes of visiting county senior centers and fire stations, making the Internet available to those who cannot conveniently travel to the library locations in Chesterhill and McConnelsville. When the laptops are not being used for ECO training, they are open to public use at the main library branch.

The library can train 8-10 participants per ECO class and have been steadily full since the launch of the program. Adults from neighboring counties are even driving to McConnelsville for the training. By the end of March, nearly 50 adults have completed the free computer and Internet training offered by Kate Love Simpson-Morgan County Library.

To view additional photos of the students' help at the library, visit our Facebook page by clicking here.