Michigan receives $1.5 billion for high-speed internet

Michigan will receive over $1.5 billion in funding to help close the digital divide and ensure that everyone in the state has access to reliable, affordable, high-speed internet. This funding is part of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, a $42.45 billion state grant initiative authorized by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The allocated funds will be used to deploy or upgrade high-speed internet networks across Michigan.

Once deployment goals are met, any remaining funding can be directed towards high-speed internet training, workforce development efforts, and more. Governor Gretchen Whitmer said, “Every Michigan family deserves access to reliable, affordable high-speed internet. I am grateful to the Biden-Harris administration and our congressional delegation for passing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which made the largest federal investment in internet infrastructure ever.

Thanks to their efforts, Michigan secured nearly $1.6 billion from the BEAD program—the fourth highest of all states—to connect more than 200,000 homes and small businesses to high-speed internet. I am so proud that we are getting these resources out the door so we can continue building up the essential broadband infrastructure every community needs.”

Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson praised Michigan’s progress, saying, “Today, Michigan can move their Internet for All efforts from planning to action.

Funding to bridge Michigan’s digital divide

I congratulate the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office for developing a strong proposal for how they will connect all of their residents to high-speed Internet service.”

A senior Biden-Harris Administration official visited the MARA Technologies’ manufacturing facility in Holly to observe U.S.-made broadband network electronics equipment production. The electronic equipment, known as SF-4X Optical Line Terminals (OLTs), is compliant with the Build America, Buy America (BABA) requirements for the BEAD Program. The federal government announced Wednesday it had approved Michigan’s plan for administering its portion of the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, bringing the total to 32 states.

Davidson spoke at an event in Detroit with city officials and digital equity advocates. He urged the audience to participate in the agency’s Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program, a separate $1.25 billion program aimed at supporting efforts to address barriers to broadband adoption that linger after infrastructure has been put in place, like affordability, device access, and the ability to navigate the web. It’s part of the $2.75 billion in digital equity programs created by the Infrastructure Act along with BEAD.

Applications to the competitive program are due by September 23, with awards expected to start this winter. Also during Davidson’s visit, Vecima Networks announced its first American-made optical line terminals were available from its partner company Mara Technologies’s Holly, Michigan facility. The BEAD program requires some network components to be manufactured domestically, and the two firms planned their onshoring partnership in February.