Press Release originally published by Butler County
On Friday, April 28, Butler Tech joined the Ohio Department of Development, Monroe Local Schools, Butler County Educational Service Center, BroadbandOhio, Ohio Connectivity Champions, SWOCA, and altafiber, to celebrate the “Connect Our Students” initiative which includes a $95,000 grant to bring high-speed internet to K-12 students living in the Rochester Hills community in Monroe.
BroadbandOhio, a division of the Department of Development, awarded the grant as part of their goal to bring digital infrastructure to communities that have little or no access to the internet. The lack of basic connectivity is limiting opportunities for students and residents.
Infrastructure for the project was provided by altafiber, with BroadbandOhio providing connectivity to the homes for a period of five years. Butler Tech, Monroe Local Schools, and SWOCA provided technical assistance and served as integral partners in the planning and implementation of the project.
“altafiber is committed to creating digital equity throughout the communities that we serve, and we are proud to be part of this important initiative that will deliver critical connectivity for Monroe Local School District students and their families,” shared Jason Praeter, President – Consumer & Small Business for altafiber.
“The pandemic heightened awareness for everyone that high-speed internet is a necessity to access curriculum in today's world,” said Jon Graft, Butler Tech superintendent/CEO. “It has become what our textbook used to be for students in the past. Our hope is that this pilot shows the viability for high-speed, reliable internet services to be accessible to everyone across the county and eventually everywhere throughout the United States. Partnerships is what made it possible.”
Butler Tech is pleased to be part of this collaboration to create more digital equity in Butler County—where all partners will come together to recognize the work toward closing the digital divide for students.
The time is now. To learn more, connect with your UniCity specialist by filling out the form here or email unicity@cinbell.com.
