Berrien County’s broadband committee has met with local government leaders and representatives of internet service providers seeking to expand high-speed internet access. Berrien County Commissioner Teri Freehling told colleagues Thursday BC Bit met last week for an update on applications for state ROBIN grants to expand broadband. Members got some good news.
“We do know that there’s at least two internet providers that will be submitting applications for Berrien County, and both of them will cover between 70% and 80% of the unserved homes in the county,” Freehling said. “So, we’re gathering letters of support.”
Freehling said other preparations are being made.
“We’re going to be talking with the road department, the drain commission. I think those are the two main ones as it relates to construction costs for putting in utilities for broadband.”
Of course, everything depends on the ISPs receiving the ROBIN grants they’re seeking. The state’s ROBIN program is a pot of $250 million available to ISPs to expand broadband access in underserved areas. Freehling said the deadline for them to apply is less than a week away.
