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West Olive, MI -?Ottawa County and 123NET have received final grant approvals from the State and are hitting the ground running on the broadband expansion project funded by Realizing Opportunity with Broadband Infrastructure Network (ROBIN) grant program. This grant program is operated by the State of Michigan and will fund middle mile broadband internet infrastructure. Grant preparations began back in 2022 with the official approval coming in March of 2024.
After refinements made by the grantor, the state of Michigan?s High-Speed Internet Office, the current project will construct 250 miles of fiber, improving access for nearly 6,000 residents. Ottawa County is contributing $4.3M, 123NET is contributing $2.2M, and the state of Michigan is providing $9.7M in additional funding. This $16.2M investment will not only facilitate greater access to online resources but also foster economic growth and educational opportunities, as well as enhanced access to health care needs.
Currently, members of the Department of Strategic Impact, representatives from 123NET, and local officials are holding meetings to refine the final fiber installation routes. Considerations are being made for the specific address connections funded by the grant, as well as master plans that determine future land use, and the location of critical community facilities that need stable broadband connection. Shovels are expected in the ground by Fall 2024 to launch this vital infrastructure project for Ottawa County. Visit the county website by clicking here and view an interactive map showing the parcels that will receive service from this project. Please note that the engineering plans are currently being finalized and this map is preliminary.?
"We are thrilled to move forward and get shovels in the ground before the end of the year," said Paul Sachs, Director of Ottawa County?s Department of Strategic Impact. "These initiatives align with our mission to ensure that every resident in our community has access to high-speed internet. By investing in broadband infrastructure and engaging with our community, we are laying the foundation for a more prosperous and connected Ottawa County."
This phase of the broadband expansion project is providing many households with the service they need, but there will be some addresses that currently have slow, or no, internet service that will still need assistance after the ROBIN grant fiber construction. To address these remaining needs, Ottawa County and 123NET intend to pursue the next round of state grant funding. The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) grant program will allow further collaboration with local stakeholders and residents to continue improving the accuracy of FCC broadband coverage maps and leverage funding for additional construction expanding internet access.
Currently, residents have a huge opportunity to file a challenge concerning their lack of internet service. From March 25th to April 23rd, 2024, residents are encouraged to visit challenge.merit.edu and follow the steps to see what the FCC maps have listed for internet service at their address. If the map says an address has internet service at, or above, speeds of 100mbps to download and 20mbps to upload but that is not true, the resident can submit a challenge to the map. This will aid in correcting the Michigan Broadband Map and the FFC broadband coverage map.
Image Description: The preliminary map of the fiber routes that will be installed.
"We are thrilled to move forward and get shovels in the ground before the end of the year. These initiatives align with our mission to ensure that every resident in our community has access to high-speed internet. By investing in broadband infrastructure and engaging with our community, we are laying the foundation for a more prosperous and connected Ottawa County."?
-Paul Sachs, Director of Ottawa County's Department of Strategic Impact
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About the Countywide Broadband Project
Ottawa County remains dedicated to advancing digital access countywide and fostering more connected communities. Through strategic partnerships, and community-driven initiatives, the county is committed to empowering all residents to thrive in the digital age. For more information about the project, please visit www.miottawa.org/broadband. For updates on the current fiber construction efforts, visit www.123.net/Ottawa-County and sign up for 123NET?s email list.
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