Omni Fiber to begin construction in July on New Philadelphia broadband project
NEW PHILADELPHIA ‒ Having completed work in Dover, Omni Fiber will begin construction in New Philadelphia to improve options to residents and businesses for broadband service.
Underground construction work will begin in July, and the entire project should be done by January 2024.
Dover project: Omni Fiber announces plans to provide broadband service to Dover
Omni Fiber, based in Mason, Ohio, will invest about $9.5 million in New Philadelphia, according to Bryant McAfee, director of business development for the company, who spoke to city council this week. No tax dollars will be used in the project. It is all privately funded.
"Our company is a spinoff from a larger company that is looking to work with communities your size that miss out on opportunities for federal funding," he said. "There's a lot of federal funding out there right now, but you're the hole in the donut. You don't get to qualify for any of that funding because you already have a broadband service provider in a cable operator in place that meets the minimum qualifications according to that funding guideline.
"So, there's not an opportunity for you to be able to take advantage of additional funds. So companies like Omni Fiber, we come to the table to be able to give you that benefit of having a fiber optic network without having to worry about where that funding is coming from."
Permitting process has begun
Some of the company's equipment will go underground and some will be attached to utility poles. Omni has already begun the permitting process for the first three areas in New Philadelphia where it will be building, McAfee said.
He noted that the company will do restoration work after it completes underground construction.
Mayor Joel Day invited McAfee to come and speak to council.
"I just wanted to make a point that I asked Mr. McAfee to come and speak to council so that everybody is aware that there is going to be fiber construction going on in town, also because of the problems we've had in the past with fiber construction in New Philadelphia," he said. "I just want to make sure that residents and council know that this is going to be taking place over the next several months."
Reach Jon at 330-364-8415 or at jon.baker@timesreporter.com.
This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Omni Fiber to begin work on New Philadelphia broadband project
