Michigan on cusp of major broadband expansion to areas of state with little access

Every resident in the state could have access to broadband, or high speed internet, in the near future, thanks to federal funds coming Michigan's way, according to Eric Frederick, Executive Director of Connected Nation Michigan — a non-profit group dedicated to eliminating the digital divide in all its forms. Federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and especially the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will be a game-changer, Frederick said. "We are definitely on the cusp of something major." Michigan has set aside $250 million for competitive grants from its ARPA funds for "last mile," household-by-household connections to the internet in some underserved areas, as well as some fiber optic projects to connect larger numbers of rural residents to internet service. Starting next year, Michigan may begin to receive between $1.3 billion and $1.5 billion to expand high-speed internet across the state, Frederick said, and that will be enough, he believes, to ensure every person in the state can have access. Also, he added, Michigan cities have started building open-access networks, and there are projects being undertaken by rural electric co-ops.