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MARIETTA -- The Buckeye Hills Regional Council will host meetings to discuss broadband from May 30 to June 22.
"These listening sessions are an opportunity for all Ohioans to share the issues they face, as well as possible solutions, to accessing internet services whether those issues are affordability, access to services, access to devices or lack of digital skills," said BHRC Program Manager Ryan Collins. "This information will be gathered and transmitted to BroadbandOhio, where it will directly inform and affect Ohio's Digital Equity Plan."
The listening sessions are open to the public. Buckeye Hills Regional Council and Broadband Ohio are especially seeking input from those who are or work with low-income households, older adults, incarcerated individuals, veterans, people with disabilities, people with language barriers, racial and ethnic minorities and rural residents.
In February, BroadbandOhio selected Buckeye Hills Regional Council as one of five organizations across the state to lead Regional Digital Inclusion Alliances (RDIAs). Buckeye Hills and the other lead organizations will work alongside BroadbandOhio to develop the state's digital opportunity plan, leveraging their local relationships to ensure the final plan meets the federal requirements of the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program while also meeting the needs of all Ohioans.
Buckeye Hills Regional Council and the other RDIA leads are hosting regional forums across the state to better understand the connectivity-based challenges community leaders and Ohioans are facing at the local level.
Feedback from these forums will be used to support activities around the availability and affordability of high-speed internet, online accessibility of public resources and services, digital literacy, online privacy and technical support.
The listening session dates and locations are:
* Hocking County, 1-4 p.m. June 1, Logan Theater, second floor meeting room.
* Guernsey County: noon to 5 p.m. Guernsey County Public Library, Crossroads Branch, large meeting room.
* Athens County: 1-4 p.m. June 12, Athens County Community Center, Room A.
* Washington County: 1-4 p.m. June 15, Washington State Community College, Community Room.
* Meigs County: 1-4 p.m. June 20, Meigs County District Public Library, Pomeroy.
* Noble County: 1-4 p.m. June 21, Caldwell Public Library, Genealogy Building.
Individuals unable to attend a session can still participate by completing the BroadbandOhio Internet Access Survey or Digital Inclusion Asset Mapping Survey available at buckeyehills.org/broadband.
Questions about the broadband listening sessions may be directed to Collins at rcollins@buckeyehills.org or 740-336-2042.