COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Branch County Board of Commissioners are expected to take action on Monday afternoon on possibly using a portion of the county’s American Rescue Plan Act money to help fund a proposed broadband project.
They have already given Administrator Bud Norman permission to seek a Realizing Opportunity with Broadband Infrastructure Networks competitive grant through the State of Michigan which would provide a portion of the funding.
ROBIN provides funds to internet service providers and public-private partnerships for the expansion of broadband infrastructure to unserved areas.
The Commissioners meeting has been moved back 24 hours so Norman can make Tuesday afternoon’s deadline to file a grant application.
Norman went over several options with Commissioners during their Thursday work session and said they were looking at two monetary figures.
Branch County’s share of ARPA funds in this round came out to $8.4 million.
Local units of government that get the ARPA money have until the end of 2024 to identify projects and obligate funds. They then have two years to spend the money.
The Commissioners accepted a county broadband proposal from Frontier in December. Any potential partnership would be contingent on getting grant funds.
Branch County has been looking at updating broadband service for over two years.
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