Broadband
Bridging the digital divide in Gallia County
Recognizing that broadband availability is critical to participating in a 21st century economy, Gallia County Economic Development is committed to supporting widespread broadband availability in even our most remote areas.
We are highly supportive of both federal and state efforts, such as the:
- Ohio Residential Broadband Expansion Program (ORBEG)
- Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program
- Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF)
These programs are all helping to bridge the broadband funding gap and incentivizing internet service providers to expand their deployment efforts throughout Gallia County. And it’s working, too. Thousands of previously unserved homes in Gallia County are now receiving high-speed internet access thanks to these programs.
Historic Broadband Investments Are Happening Right Now in Gallia County
Thanks to these historic investments, Gallia County is receiving historic levels of broadband investment from multiple internet service providers, including:
- JB-Nets
- Awarded $3.6 million grant in 2022 through the ORBEG to serve 816 households by mid-decade
- Charter Communications
- Investing $24 million through the RDOF program to serve 5,500 households in Gallia County by mid-decade
- Awarded $1.7 million grant in 2022 through the ORBEG program to serve 857 households in Gallia County by late-decade
GETTING BROADBAND IN GALLIA COUNTY
Fiber Providers:
- JB-Nets*
- Charter Communications (Spectrum)
- AT&T
- Horizon
- Optimum
- JB-Nets*
- AT&T
- T-Mobile Home Internet
- Starlink
- Viasat
- HughesNet
Expansions Underway:
- JB-Nets recently completed its fiber deployment in Mercerville and is beginning projects in Rodney and Vinton as well. See JB-Nets’ wireless coverage map and fiber updates.
- Charter Communications (Spectrum) is currently deploying in western portions of Gallia County, primarily surrounding Rio Grande – check to see if your address has internet availability here.
Locations with free public Wi-Fi:
- Bossard Memorial Library
- Gallipolis City Park
- Raccoon Creek County Park (O.O. McIntyre Parks District)
- Rio Grande Village Hall
- Crown City Village Hall
- Rio Grande Community College
Wi-Fi To Go Program:
Bossard Memorial Library has at-home Wi-Fi hotspots available to library card holders for free. Call the Library at 740-446-7323 to check on availability or visit in person at 7 Spruce Street. The Library also has free Wi-Fi for patrons during open hours.
The Next Generation of Broadband Workforce
Getting broadband to thousands of homes doesn’t happen with the flip of a switch. There are legal and permitting processes standing between you and high-speed internet, but even more important is the human capital required to make it happen.
In 2022, Buckeye Hills Career Center took the broadband workforce shortage head-on by starting a Broadband Infrastructure Training Program. This 200-hour introductory program is designed for both high school and adult students and provides training for industry credentials that lead to careers in broadband deployment. Students can continue their training in the Telecommunications certificate program, a 600-hour course that will prepare them for other careers in telecommunications services. In the 2024-25 school year, a new building will be completed that will house the Broadband, Telecommunications, and Power Lineman program that will be offered as an enrollment option for incoming juniors and adults of the same names.
Students further seeking careers in information and telecommunications technology can gain associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in programs like Computer Science, Cybersecurity, and Information Technology at the University of Rio Grande & Rio Grande Community College.
