U.S. Congressman Stupak Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) announced 31 Michigan counties, including nine in the First Congressional District, will benefit from a $33.3 million infrastructure grant with $8.3 million in matching funds to build a fiber-optic network in underserved counties in the Lower Peninsula.  

The project is expected to create or retain 58 jobs directly and is estimated to further stimulate the growth of 660 jobs per year once the project is complete.  The grant was awarded to Merit Network Inc. by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) as part of the stimulus, or the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

“Increasing access to broadband services in underserved areas throughout northern Michigan enhances educational opportunities for students, makes businesses more competitive and allows health care and public safety agencies to do their jobs more effectively,” Stupak said.  “This project will provide immediate benefits by creating and retaining construction and service jobs while also providing opportunities for economic development in a region of our state with limited access to broadband.”

The grant will fund the REACH Michigan Middle Mile Collaborative project to build a 955-mile advanced fiber optic network through underserved counties in Michigan.  This network will serve businesses, households and institutions including libraries, universities, community colleges and community health centers.  The project will extend Merit’s 1,600 miles of existing network to make broadband more easily available to 886,000 households and 45,800 businesses.

Counties in the First Congressional District that will benefit from this stimulus grant are:

Antrim County          

Arenac County          

Bay County

Charlevoix County              

Crawford County        

Emmet County

Gladwin County         

Montmorency County             

Otsego County

“This project is an excellent example of the tremendous job creation impact that can be realized when we invest in expanding broadband access to un-served and underserved areas,” Stupak said.

The BTOP provides grants to support the deployment of broadband infrastructure in un-served and underserved areas; enhance and expand public computer centers; and, encourage sustainable adoption of broadband service.  These investments help bridge the technological divide, boost economic growth and create jobs.