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Kettering and Centerville school districts were initial partners in this project, but they have since left as Sinclair joined the project.
“Sinclair College is partnering with us, and their contribution is funded through a state grant,” Humphress said. “With that contribution, the seven member cities’ share will be $1,140,000.”
Sinclair spokeswoman Deena John said the college got involved at the invitation of stakeholders in the various communities.
“Sinclair Community College’s involvement in this project came at the direct request of the communities that are connected with this project,” she said. “We were happy to facilitate state capital to this project, which will help these communities stay safer and more connected.”
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The network is designed to allow MVCC members the opportunity to take advantage of lower internet costs, shared software expenses and shared programming costs. Seven cities are participating in the first phase: Centerville, Kettering, Miamisburg, Moraine, Oakwood, Springboro and West Carrollton. Other cities may join when it is decided to expand the “ring.”
Humphress said the project is unique and the budget will allow participating cities a good option for internet service.
“The actual budget for this project is $1,265,000 and each participating city will have the option of going up to 1 GB for internet service, with similar backup,” he said. “While other individual cities have completed similar projects, this is one of the first multi-jurisdictional fiber networks built in the United States.”
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The fiber optics ring will allow the cities to share cutting-edge technology such as crime-mapping and GIS software files, such as video from crime scenes and voice-over-internet-protocol telephony that will save each city time and money.
Construction is expected to be underway before the end of November, and the ring should be operational by the end of June 2019, according to the MVCC.
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