Line Extension Grant Program

Line Extension Grant Program

The funds for the Line Extension Grant Program come from
the Capital Projects Fund (CPF). CPF provides $10 billion, with
Ohio receiving $268.5 million, to states, territories, freely
associated states, and Tribal governments to fund critical
capital projects that enable work, education, and health
monitoring in response to the public health emergency. CPF
Funds will be used to expand the current state-funded
program to serve additional locations. The Grant Program is an opportunity for Internet Service
Providers (ISPs) to receive funding for line extension
construction costs to run fiber to homes that are set back
from main roads. Rural areas of Ohio see the most need for
line extensions. Access to high-speed reliable internet is
imperative for families who do schooling and work from their
homes. The disparities of not having access to the modern
economy were exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic when
thousands of Ohioans had to do remote work and schooling.
It is important to make sure families who are still remote have
the same access to the internet.

Details

• Agency: Department of Development — BroadbandOhio
• Opportunity #: DEV-OBLEP
• Financial Details: The Ohio Broadband Line Extension program, established through the Capital Projects Fund (CPF), is an opportunity for Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to receive funding to offset the costs of line extension construction in running fiber to unserved homes that are set back from main roads.

Grant funds will be provided for line extension project costs beyond the first 200 feet. Eligible projects may receive the lesser of $5,000 per address of total cost to be incurred by the customer. (The maximum per foot cost is $9.50).

This program will accept applications on a rolling basis until the available $3 million in funding is exhausted. All funds must be spent, and all projects must be operational by Dec. 31, 2026.