COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Branch County Board of Commissioners gave their formal support to three companies Tuesday who are seeking federal grants for broadband projects in the county.
Surfinternet of Elkhart, Indiana along with Frontier Communications and Midwest Energy and Communications of Cassopolis are seeking funds from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program which is otherwise known as BEAD.
Jennifer Gilliam from Midwest said they are planning to do broadband work in the northwest and northeast parts of Branch County.
Surfinternet plans to wire Matteson, Sherwood and Union Townships in the northwest part of Branch County.
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, from the State of Michigan in June of 2023.
Frontier also wants to expand fiber service in underserved areas.
If the federal government approve the BEAD grant applications, awardees have four years to finish their work.
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