Media contact:  
Mary Louise Madigan: (216) 698-2521; mlmadigan@cuyahogacounty.us

First Phase of $20 Million Investment Covers More Than 15,000 Households in Cleveland and Inner Ring Suburbs

CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OH – More than 15,000 households spanning across multiple Cleveland neighborhoods and inner-ring suburbs can now access affordable, high-speed internet provided by local non-profit PCs for People.

Made possible by a combined $20 million investment from Cuyahoga County and the State of Ohio, residents in parts of Cleveland, Brooklyn, East Cleveland, Warrensville Heights, and Parma can sign up for internet service for just $15 a month. Residents who qualify for the federal Affordable Connectivity Program, or ACP, can have the cost of service fully covered through ACP’s $30 a month subsidy.

Also included in this coverage are multi-dwelling units like housing authority complexes and privately-owned apartments. Four Cleveland Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) buildings now have access to internet service, totaling more than 1,000 units that, prior to this initiative, did not have any high-speed internet options available at their residence.

“Internet access interweaves into the fabric of our lives every day. We’ve made fantastic progress connecting our residents to the internet, with lack of connectivity going down nearly 7% since before the pandemic, but it’s clear that many are still looking for an affordable, fast option,” said County Executive Chris Ronayne. “As we begin to ramp up service sign-ups, we’ll start to see a real impact in coverage as we move to phase two installation in additional inner-ring suburbs.”

Thirty-two households signed up to receive service on the first day of internet sign-ups, which took place at the Quarrytown Apartments in the City of Berea on Monday, March 27.

The next sign-up event will be Saturday, April 8 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Stella Walsh Recreation Center (7345 Broadway Ave., Cleveland, OH 44105). This event is co-sponsored by the Cleveland Cavaliers and will feature free food, giveaways and raffles, and a special appearance by a Cavs legend.

Additional sign-up events will take place throughout the next few months within each of the Phase I communities and apartment buildings.

The County also recently received a federal grant of $250,000 through the FCC ACP Outreach Grant program to help support outreach and signups for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).

“Making sure all residents have access to affordable internet is a key piece of the County’s digital inclusion strategy,” said Chief Innovation Officer Catherine Tkachyk. “The ACP Outreach Grant helps increase awareness about a federal program that can be the difference between having internet service or going without. In this area, less than half of those eligible are signed up for the program—this grant makes it possible to increase sign-ups and get families connected to the internet.”

"We are grateful for the strong partnerships we have built with organizations across Ohio as we work together to bridge the digital divide and bring internet access to underserved communities in Cuyahoga County," said Bevin Bowersmith, Executive Director of Internet Services with PCs for People. "This work is made possible by digital inclusion champions at every level, from our local community partners to e-recycling clients to the buildings that provide rooftops for our internet towers, and so many more. Our collective efforts will create new opportunities for education, employment, and social connection, helping to build a stronger, more equitable future for all."