DOWNTOWN AKRON — The City of Akron is working to provide fiber optic Internet access to every resident and business in the city by 2030.
Officials with national fiber optic network developer SiFi Networks presented details of the project at a March 4 meeting of the Akron City Council’s Public Services Committee.
Akron will provide rights-of-way for SiFi with the goal of creating a citywide fiber network and providing affordable, high-quality internet access to all residents, according to city officials.
SiFi officials said the company plans to invest more than $200 million to install, maintain and operate underground fiber optic networks throughout Akron for free, digitizing the city while supporting economic growth. In addition, SiFi has agreed to reimburse the city for costs associated with expedited permit review during the project.
“By 2024, everyone in Akron must have access to high-speed, affordable internet,” said Mayor Shammas Malik. “Through our partnership with SiFi, everyone in Akron must have access to high-speed, affordable internet.” Fiber optic internet is available to residents and businesses, and SiFi has agreed to work with us to provide rate subsidies. I want to thank all City staff who have dedicated so much time over the past year to reviewing this partnership to advance our Internet access is provided to residents.”
SiFi is currently working with the City of Cleveland to provide a similar network.
City officials added that SiFi has agreed to provide 1 gigabit per second service at a subsidized rate to a percentage of Akron residents as part of the FiberCity Assistance Program to support vulnerable households.
Construction of the fiber-optic network is expected to begin in about a year, according to SiFi officials.
In other business, the Council approved:
• Entered into a grant agreement with Summit Medina Business Alliance Inc. to provide financial support for advisory services provided to residents to promote economic development in Akron; and
• Contract with Grayshift to renew GrayKey Online software for the police department for one year.
Council also agreed to place the following on the consent agenda for a vote at the next meeting:
√ Agreement with Integra Mission Critical LLC for the redevelopment of the property located at 1210 Massillon Road, Building C;
√ Contract with a strategic planning consultant to develop the Akron/Summit County Homelessness Elimination Framework and the Akron/Summit County Continuum of Care Strategic Plan;
√ Self-implemented work regulations for the upgrading and renovation of the training room and locker room of the Municipal Service Center;
√ Contracted to plant 2,400 trees as part of the city’s annual tree program and contract to the city’s nursery;
√ Enter into a Mud Run golf course management services contract with Greater Akron Fore Youth Development Inc.; and
√ Self-enforcing work regulations for the second phase of construction of the Heintz Hillcrest Park Walking Trail and the construction of the Hyre Park Nature Trail.
The City Council will hold a committee meeting on March 11 at 1 p.m. and a regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers on the third floor of the Akron Municipal Building, 166 South High Street. The public can watch the meeting on the City Council’s YouTube page at www.akroncitycouncil.org.