Miles SmithEligible internet service providers and communities in Michigan can now apply for funding to bring high-speed internet to unserved and underserved areas across the state.
The federal grants are being made available through the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program. Michigan has secured more than $1.5 billion, the fourth-largest allocation in the nation, to connect more than 244,000 locations across all 83 counties.
The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s (LEO) Michigan High-Speed Internet Office (MIHI) will accept applications through April 9. Applicants must pre-register for the program by March 10.
RELATED: Michigan utility adding AI to meters to measure EV charging’s impact on grid
“This marks a pivotal step in our journey to close the digital divide and build a digitally inclusive Michigan where everyone has access to reliable, high-speed internet,” said Eric Frederick, Michigan’s chief connectivity officer. “With this application period, we are inviting partners to join us in shaping resilient, future-proof infrastructure that will transform connectivity for generations to come.”
BEAD is administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The competitive grant program invites applicants to propose projects that will deliver scalable, resilient high-speed internet infrastructure.
Successful applicants will receive funding to construct networks designed to meet Michigan’s connectivity needs for the next 30 years and beyond, the LEO said.
Image by Anna Sulencka from Pixabay
