In response to this growing issue the problem of Ohioans in Appalachia without stable internet, Ohio Capital Finance Corporation, with funding support from CareSource, a Dayton Ohio-based multistate nonprofit managed care plan, created the $5 million investment fund, the CareSource Fund for Appalachia.

Through this fund, OCFC will leverage resources to assist LMI residents with access to the internet with goals of improving health and education outcomes. By providing low cost (1.5%) bridge financing, the fund will generate additional equity and cost savings to support real estate improvements. In turn, this will advance residents’ access to digital resources, including the installation of building-wide internet service, individual unit Wi-Fi hotspots, dedicated space for tele-health services and other supportive opportunities. To learn more about this innovative funding source, please contact Aaron Murphy (amurphy@occh.org) or Jon Welty (jwelty@occh.org). See full press release here