Ohio to Issue RFP for $20M Route 30 Fiber Project

Ohio’s BroadbandOhio office will soon accept proposals for a $20 million middle-mile fiber project aimed at improving high-speed internet access across northern Ohio.The Route 30 Middle-Mile Infrastructure Project will build fiber east from Mansfield to Canton and west to Lima, creating backbone connectivity for internet providers serving 15 counties. The corridor runs near schools, hospitals, government facilities and major employers.

Funded through Ohio’s biennial budget, the project will connect to a central point of presence in Mansfield, allowing multiple providers to interconnect. State officials say the investment is a key step toward delivering reliable broadband across the region. The inquiry period for interested applicants runs December 1, 2025, through January 5, 2026. Final proposals are due February 2, 2026.