OH SB376

Creates the Ohio Broadband Development Grant Program administered by the Director of Development Services to fund broadband infrastructure expansion in unserved areas of the state.

Eligible applicants include private businesses, political subdivisions, nonprofit telecommunications entities, and co-ops organized to provide phone and internet services.

Grant amounts cannot exceed 50% of total project cost or $5 million, whichever is less, and funds may be used for middle-mile and last-mile infrastructure, planning, permitting, equipment, and installation.

Prioritizes applications that serve economically distressed areas, benefit community institutions (libraries, schools, healthcare), facilitate telemedicine, leverage additional funding, and implement open access networks.

Appropriates $100 million to the Ohio Broadband Development Grant Fund in fiscal year 2017, with $1 million designated for administrative costs including broadband mapping and community engagement.