Fairlawn Community Broadband Implementation Case Study

This case study documents the initiative taken by the City of Fairlawn, Ohio, to enhance its communications infrastructure through the implementation of a community broadband network. The document outlines the challenges faced by the city, including inadequate internet connectivity that hindered local businesses and potential new enterprises. The deputy service director, Ernie Staten, played a pivotal role in advocating for a fiber network, emphasizing its long-term economic benefits. The study details the process of forming a blue ribbon committee to oversee the project and the subsequent request for proposals (RFP) that led to the selection of Corning’s FlexNAP™ system. The installation of the gigabit network was completed in 12 months, achieving a utility take rate of 40 percent, and providing reliable Wi-Fi access to homes and businesses in Fairlawn. The case study concludes with testimonials highlighting the transformative impact of the new network on the community's connectivity and economic development.