WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Broadband for America (BfA), a coalition of more than 180 member companies and organizations which share the goal of bringing broadband Internet to every home and business in the nation, announces the formation of its Ohio Advisory Board.

Broadband for America’s Ohio Advisory Board will focus on developing programs that deliver the message that broadband is creating jobs, fostering the growth of small businesses, and enhancing the lives of every citizen in the state. 

Scot Darling of the Farm and Dairy newspaper said, “Ohio’s employment situation will only improve if small businesses throughout our state are able to hire more people, more quickly. Increasing access to broadband Internet in rural communities will allow more small businesses to harness the information and tools available online to create jobs in every corner of the state.”

“From Toledo to Marietta, and from Youngstown to Cincinnati the ability to access the Internet on a high-speed broadband connection will help Ohio become a leader in job growth in the information age,” said Jim Hoppel, Commissioner of Columbiana County.

The broadband and information technology sectors created nearly half of all new jobs in 2008 and contribute nearly $1 trillion to the nation’s economy annually. The major network providers have invested $100 billion in the past two years in their networks, so at a time when most industrial centers have been reducing their workforces, the broadband industry has been growing.

In addition to announcing the Ohio Advisory Board, Broadband for America is launching a new page on its website, which details the benefits of broadband Internet in Ohio, also profiling members of the coalition.

To view Broadband for America’s Ohio-specific webpage, click here.

The members of the Broadband for America (BfA) Ohio Advisory Board are:

African American Travel Conference

Capitol Integrity Group

CGI Technologies and Solutions, Inc.

City of Lima, OH

City of Salem, Office of the Auditor

Columbiana County Commissioners

Columbiana County Democratic Party

Coshochton Port Authority

Crawford County Economic Development Partnership

Eastern Ohio Development Alliance

Farm and Dairy Newspaper

Group Leaders of America

Jambor Group

Lyle Printing

Ohio Cable Telecommunications Association

Ohio Council of Retail Merchants

Ohio Energy & Advanced Manufacturing Center

Ohio League of Conservation Voters

Perry Township

The Burkhart Group

Unity Township - Columbiana

Broadband for America (BfA) is a growing coalition of over 180 members ranging from independent consumer advocacy groups, to content and application providers, to the companies which build and maintain the Internet. The complete BfA membership list is available at: http://www.broadbandforamerica.com/about/members

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