ARPA Funds Helped Washtenaw County (MI) Build, Track Broadband

As it gears up to meet a goal of full broadband connectivity by 2025, Washtenaw County (MI) has launched a digital map that tracks its progress, thanks to American Rescue Plan Act dollars and general county funds. Lack of broadband is a huge detriment to any county and its residents, particularly in the sectors of education, healthcare, employment, and business development, said Washtenaw County Commissioner Jason Maciejewski. “This goes way beyond simply trying to stream movies and music online — these are really things that impact people’s everyday lives, their ability to get broadband level internet service,” Commissioner Maciejewski said. The county contracted with DCS Technology Design to tackle rural broadband in its gap-filling effort. Chris Scharrer, CEO of DCS, drove to each house in the county’s 15 townships that had been identified as not fully serviced to create an accurate map that determined the scope of what needed to be done for the county and could be updated in real time for its residents.