County earns ‘Broadband Hero’ Award

VW independent/submitted information

COLUMBUS — Van Wert County officials have long seen the advantages to having widespread broadband Internet connections. That foresight has also earned them an award from a group that is also interested in increasing broadband coverage.

Connect Ohio recognized Van Wert County with a Broadband Hero Award during its quarterly Technology Association meeting at the Vern Riffe Center in Columbus.

Van Wert County was recognized for its efforts in fostering high-speed broadband expansion to the many unserved and underserved homes and businesses in the area. Kim Brandt, 9-1-1 coordinator for Van Wert County, as well as County Commissioners Thad Lichtensteiger, Stan Owens, and Todd D. Wolfrum, accepted the award in Van Wert County on Thursday.

Connect Ohio began working with the county through its Connected program, which was championed by Brandt, who was then seeking a technology action plan to enhance Van Wert County’s capabilities.

Connect Ohio worked with county officials to develop a plan to expand digital literacy, build awareness for the benefits of broadband, and assist businesses with websites and social media, as well as improving the online presence for local governments, among other entities.

Van Wert County is Ohio’s first political subdivision to achieve the official Connected certification and only the ninth community in the nation to earn this certification.

“We are very excited to receive the Connect Ohio Broadband Hero Award,” the commissioners said in a joint statement released on Thursday. “By being able to improve the online presence for government in the county, we have also been able to develop an important public/private partnership.

“Currently, we are working on the fiber loop, which should be completed in the near future,’ the statement added. “We are very happy to be given the opportunity to be able to improve technology in Van Wert County and the State of Ohio.”

The Van Wert County Connected certification process came after the local broadband planning committee spent six months working with Connect Ohio to assess the broadband landscape, identify gaps, and establish actionable goals and objectives. The certification is an important benchmark as the team now phases into working on its newly established long-term community broadband plan.

“The cooperation of local authorities is vital to the expansion of high-speed Internet, especially to rural areas,” said Jeff Beebe, state operations manager for Connect Ohio. “Van Wert has provided a great benefit to its citizen through this collaboration.”

“Kim (Brandt) has been critical to the whole process and the commissioners have also been very proactive in trying to implement new technologies in the area,” Beebe added.