Canton Reporter

FairlawnGig, the leading municipal broadband provider in the region, has announced a new partnership with the City of Canton to bring better, faster, and more affordable broadband access to businesses and residents in Canton's Innovation and Downtown Redevelopment Districts. This collaboration aims to drive economic development opportunities and attract new residents and businesses to Canton.

Canton Mayor Thomas Bernabei expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, "If we're able to provide gigabit-speed, affordable internet service to Canton businesses and residents, it will promote business growth as well as attract residents and businesses to Canton."

The downtown Canton Innovation and Downtown Redevelopment Districts are already connected to Ohio's OARnet for high-speed internet, and the partnership with FairlawnGig will further enhance connectivity with additional investments from $7 million in American Rescue Plan Act dollars. The City of Canton also has Tax Increment Financing in place to connect fiber assets to district buildings.

Chris Hardesty, Canton's director of economic development, highlighted the economic opportunities that better broadband will bring to the city. He stated, "FairlawnGig has demonstrable expertise in delivering municipal internet services. We're thrilled to be able to offer Canton's district tenants the opportunity to receive a world-class customer experience with an organization that boasts great prices, high speeds, and industry-leading customer satisfaction scores."

FairlawnGig will utilize the existing fiber assets in Canton to provide vastly faster and better internet service for district tenants. Ernie Staten, Fairlawn's Director of Public Service, explained, "Once each building is connected to fiber, we'll be able to easily connect each tenant with better, more affordable internet service. Beyond the fastest service available, anywhere, we're excited to bring our world-class customer service to Canton."

If you own or are a tenant in the Innovation and Downtown Redevelopment Districts, you can contact Chris Hardesty at (330) 438-4302 or chris.hardesty@cantonohio.gov to request the connection of your building.

The Canton Innovation District, established in 2017, is a 12-block neighborhood in downtown Canton designed to attract tech-oriented businesses and foster economic growth for the city and Stark County. The district offers high-speed, low-cost broadband/fiber connectivity to businesses, improving the economic well-being and quality of life for the entire community.

FairlawnGig, a municipal broadband utility established by the City of Fairlawn, delivers a better internet experience for residents and businesses in Fairlawn and the Akron/Bath/Fairlawn Joint Economic Development District (JEDD). With a gigabit fiber connection to every home and business, FairlawnGig's high-speed fiber network provides an unprecedented level of internet service.

This partnership between FairlawnGig and the City of Canton is a forward-thinking, economic development strategy that aims to drive business growth, innovation, and community transformation.

For more information, please contact Chris Hardesty at (330) 438-4302 or chris.hardesty@cantonohio.gov. Alternatively, you can reach out to Doug Adams on behalf of FairlawnGig at 330.933.3374 or doug@thethinkagency.com.

To find out more, go to this link: https://www.cantonohio.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=96