Another $1.5 billion is coming to Michigan from the federal government to expand broadband access in underserved areas. Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced Monday the funds are coming through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment, or BEAD, Program, which is awarding funds to every state. President Biden commented Monday.
“Internet access is just as important as electricity was, or water, or other basic services,” Biden said.
The state hasn’t yet determined how or where the dollars will be used, but the Michigan High Speed Internet Office will put together a BEAD 5-Year Action Plan. From there, an application process will be established, and the money will be deployed in mid to late 2024. The BEAD program was created by the $65 billion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which set aside at least $100 million for each state based on the number of locations currently unserved by high-speed internet as identified by the FCC.
