COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Branch County Board of Commissioners brought forward two resolutions during their work session on Thursday that support a pair of companies who are seeking federal grants for broadband projects in the county.
Surfinternet out of Elkhart, Indiana and Frontier Communications are seeking funds from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program which is otherwise known as BEAD.
Surfinternet plan to provide service to areas of Branch County that are underserved by broadband. The company’s Steve Carender says they are looking to wire three townships in the northwest part of the county.
Carender said they provide service in St. Joseph County.
The Commissioners also brought forward a resolution that supports Frontier Communications in their attempts to get a BEAD grant.
The Commissioners accepted a county broadband proposal from Frontier in December of 2022. Any potential partnership with Frontier was contingent on getting grant funds.
The county was awarded a Realizing Opportunity with Broadband Infrastructure Networks competitive grant, otherwise known as a ROBIN grant, from the State of Michigan in June of 2023.
Frontier’s Allison Ellis says they want to expand fiber service in such underserved areas as Sherwood, Bronson, Quincy, Batavia, Noble and Butler.
If the federal government approve the BEAD grants, awardees have four years to finish their work.
The Commissioners are expected to take formal action on the resolutions next Tuesday afternoon.
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