Around 100,000 Unserved Michigan Homes, Businesses to Connect to High-Speed Internet Through $238M in Initial Grant Recommendations

The Michigan High-Speed Internet Office (MIHI) announced its initial recommendations for the Realizing Opportunity with Broadband Infrastructure Networks (ROBIN) grant program, which will provide $238 million in federal funding through the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund (CPF) to support the deployment of high-speed internet to approximately 100,000 unserved locations throughout the state. Project proposals were submitted through a competitive application process and reviewed by MIHI’s ROBIN Steering Committee, a group of representatives from across state government responsible for guiding the development of administrative procedures for the ROBIN Program, scoring applications, reviewing challenges and making relevant decisions and recommendations on programmatic needs. Out of 154 applications submitted by 40 unique applicants, 24 projects submitted by 11 applicants were selected for the initial grant recommendations and would connect nearly 106,000 homes, businesses and institutions throughout the state to high-speed internet access. More than $311 million of matching funds have also been committed by the 11 applicants to support the 24 projects which total $578 million. All project proposals were examined and scored on categories including experience, financial wherewithal, long-term viability of the project; readiness to build, operate and maintain the project; economic impact; locations passed; and digital equity and inclusion. Initial grant recommendations were made based on the final application score following review by the ROBIN Steering Committee.  Not all initial grant recommendations are expected to be funded or receive their full funding pending the outcome of a 45-day comment and objection window, where anyone may file a comment or objection to one or more of the recommendations. The comment and objection window will be open from June 16 through July 31, 2023.