Latest news with #MasonWaldvogel
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
DOGE revokes $23 million grant intended to help Ohioans without internet access
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Despite ongoing efforts from state leaders, approximately one million Ohioans lack access to high-speed internet. DOGE canceled $23 million intended to help them. In November 2024, Ohio was awarded a $23,291,992 federal grant to increase digital equity. None of the funds had been paid to the state when DOGE canceled the grant on May 9. According to a federal announcement — which is no longer publicly available on federal websites — Ohio intended to use the funds to create a statewide device internship, offer digital skills education for incarcerated Ohioans, and create a Digital Inclusion Grant Program. Department of Development spokesperson Mason Waldvogel said Ohio was no longer moving forward with these programs as a result of the grant cancellation, although BroadbandOhio will continue to expand access through other programs. The funds were allocated under former President Joe Biden but had not yet been paid, so there were plans for the money, but the state does not have to pay anything back to the government. A rare COVID-19 strain disappeared overnight. We still don't know which Ohioan had it Broadband refers to high-speed internet, or the ability to access the internet without interruptions or outages. In Ohio, high-speed internet access is defined as 100 mbps download and 20 mbps upload speed. That speed covers a household of two to four people using the internet casually, or one to two people if they use the internet for streaming, telehealth or work from home. According to state data, one in five Ohioans reported they do not believe they have sufficient device access to meet household needs. BroadbandOhio said this is largely due to a lack of availability or barriers in digital literacy and affordability. The state agency said some parts of Ohio have little or no access due to a lack of digital infrastructure, and the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for adequate connectivity. In Franklin County, 26% of households are considered digitally underserved by the state. This only increases in rural areas; for example, 59% of Licking County households qualify as underserved. The state grants were going to give special emphasis – but not exclusive access – to low-income households, elderly people, veterans, people with disabilities, people with language barriers, racial and ethnic minorities, rural residents and justice-involved people. The National Digital Inclusion Alliance found 77.8% of Ohioans would have qualified under at least one of those groups. How much Columbus home prices have risen since 2019 Ohio had already accepted grant applications by the time the Department of Commerce alerted the state it no longer had the funding, and had hoped to get federal approval for select organizations by mid-June. Broadband equity has been a priority for Gov. Mike DeWine, who said high-speed internet has become a 'critical necessity' rather than a luxury, used from schooling to healthcare. However, DeWine's office declined to comment on the grant cancellation. Sen. Jon Husted worked to expand broadband during his time as lieutenant governor, but his office also did not have comment on this grant. See previous coverage of Husted's broadband advocacy in the video player above. The funds had been part of the Digital Equity Act, which passed in 2021 with bipartisan support. The act was cosponsored by then-Ohio Sen. Rob Portman, a Republican who initially backed Trump's claim that he won the 2020 election and voted against impeaching the former president in 2021. Portman's office said he could not comment on the grant cancellation at this time. Although funding was canceled in May, President Donald Trump publicly spoke against the act in March. Trump took to Truth Social and announced his intention to end the Digital Equity Act, calling it 'RACIST' and an 'ILLEGAL $2.5 BILLION DOLLAR giveaway,' although the total funding was $2.75 billion. Ohio lawmakers call for 2026 ballot measure to overturn same-sex marriage ban Before receiving the federal funding, Ohio had a pilot program for the grants. Through these grants, rural Ohioans gained access to tech support, Columbus residents could purchase donated and refurbished quality devices at lower costs, and seniors received tech help. Despite having $23 million fewer dollars to support efforts, Waldvogel said Ohio still intends to improve digital access. 'BroadbandOhio remains fully committed to its mission of expanding access to high-speed internet across Ohio — and our work to close the digital divide continues through other initiatives and partnerships aimed at connecting unserved and underserved communities,' Waldvogel said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Axios
10-03-2025
- Business
- Axios
Intel's new timeline conflicts with promised deadline
After another round of delays, Intel's Licking County project timeline now appears to be at odds with promises the company made to the state of Ohio. Why it matters: Intel has already received hundreds of millions of dollars from the state for the construction of its planned $20 billion semiconductor factory. If Intel's new projections are accurate, Ohio can decide whether to claw back funds or amend the agreement. Follow the money: In 2023, Ohio agreed to a $600 million onshoring grant funding the construction of two chip factories. The state disbursed the money three months later, setting a project deadline of Dec. 31, 2028. Ohio also committed to a $300 million water reclamation grant, a $475 million Job Creation Tax Credit and about $300 million in road and infrastructure work. New Albany is also spending $180 million on infrastructure for Intel, and the federal CHIPS Act provided $7.86 billion for various Intel projects, $2.2 billion of which has already been distributed. State of play: Despite that 2028 deadline, Intel's latest timeline announcement explicitly says it plans to complete its production facilities, or "fabs," in 2030 and 2031, respectively. The company cited a need to "align the start of production of our fabs with the needs of our business and broader market demand." Between the lines: Department of Development spokesperson Mason Waldvogel confirms to Axios that Intel has received the full $600 million for construction, but has not yet received water reclamation and tax credit funds. What they're saying: Neither Intel nor state officials have an explanation for the timeline discrepancy. Waldvogel says Intel has not requested to amend its agreement and has until a year before the required deadline to do so. "While Intel has indicated a later completion date, construction timelines are estimates and can be moved up." Intel spokesperson Eleonora Akopyan declined to answer Axios' questions about the timeline. Instead, she pointed to language in the announcement that says Intel is "maintaining the flexibility to accelerate work and the start of operations if customer demand warrants." A bird's-eye view of progress Amid project delays and company uncertainty, work is still ongoing at the Ohio One site. Driving the news: Intel released new drone footage showcasing the massive scope of construction, which is reshaping not just New Albany, but the whole region. By the numbers: Intel says crews have already worked more than 6.4 million hours on the project. Waldvogel tells Axios that Ohioans from 83 counties and 430 Ohio companies have worked on the project. As a whole, Intel promised to create 7,000 construction jobs in addition to 3,000 permanent full-time jobs, and $405 million in annual payroll.
