The Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission is Hiring a Broadband Planning Coordinator

The Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission (OVRDC) has an ongoing RFP [pdf] to hire a Broadband Planning Coordinator to perform asset inventory, mapping, and an analysis of existing wireline and wireless network in a twelve-county region. It’s part of a $400,000 grant the commission received as part of CARES funding that will, in part, look for ways to expand and upgrade broadband connectivity options in support of manufacturing, telehealth, distance learning, and economic recovery in the region following the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

John Hemmings, Executive Director of the Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission, said of the grant and position:

We are appreciative of the Economic Development Administration in assisting us with recovery efforts associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. For many years, OVRDC has been a champion of better broadband service in our region and throughout Appalachia and rural Ohio. COVID-19 put on display quite clearly the shortcomings and broadband issues we suffer from in our region. With this grant, we look forward to evaluating the impact of COVID-19 on our tourism sector. We are hopeful through this assistance we can advance efforts to remedy these situations in the OVRDC region.

Job Duties

Interested individuals and firms will work with existing stakeholders to provide a comprehensive look at the state of broadband and opportunities for expansion in support of the above efforts across Adams, Brown, Clermont, Fayette, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Pike, Ross, Scioto and Vinton Counties. They cluster south of Columbus along the state’s southern border. The OVRDC “coordinates federal, state and local resources to encourage development and improve quality of life by offering technical assistance, planning and support for economic development, community development and transportation projects.”

The Coordinator position is for a 19-month term, and from the RFP will:

Working with OVRDC stakeholders, develop a prioritized list of projects for expansion of broadband service to unserved and underserved areas including rural, remote, and residential areas. Identify potential ISPs, technologies, funding strategies for project implementation to include potential for public/private partnerships, affordability, financing, and sustainability.

Other duties include:

  • Service and Infrastructure Analysis
  • Technology and Trends Review
  • Site Analysis
  • Needs Assessment and Outreach
  • Project Identification
  • Progress Reports
  • Stakeholder Meetings
  • Final Report and Presentation

See the full descriptions of these duties in the link below. Applications are due by end of day on October 23rd to John W. Hemmings III, Executive Director, Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission, jhemmings@ovrdc.org. See the RFP at this link [pdf], or below.

 

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