Ottawa County (MI) Leverages $25 Million for Countywide Internet Coverage

In a strong step forward for Ottawa County's Broadband Strategy, the County Board of Commissioners voted to finalize Public-Private Partnerships with 123Net and Tilson Infrastructure. The vote allows 123NET to accept an award of nearly $14 million in Realizing Opportunities with Broadband Infrastructure Networks (ROBIN) grant funding, which was prioritized for Ottawa County by the State of Michigan when the second round of funding was announced. In conjunction with $7.5 million in funding from Ottawa County's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and $3.5 million in 123NET's private capital, the upcoming project will allow the construction of nearly 400 miles of new fiber in the county, further providing internet access to nearly 10,000 residents and businesses. The partnership with Tilson allows the company to start assessing opportunities for enhanced fixed-wireless coverage countywide and ultimately to construct new towers in critical locations which will be supported with new fiber infrastructure deployed by 123Net. Both partnership agreements include provisions for revenue share direct to Ottawa County.