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Lt. Gov. Gilchrist offers support for high-speed internet expansion in the Upper Peninsula

Loic Venance
/
AFP/Getty Images

Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist supports a plan to bring high-speed internet service to residents in the rural Upper Peninsula and thumb areas of the state.

During a visit to Marquette on Wednesday, Gilchrist met with officials from internet company Highline Michigan. They want to put down 6-thousand miles of fiberoptic lines to underserved and unserved households.

Says having high-speed, high-quality internet connectivity is a game-changer in so many ways.

“I think it’s a huge opportunity to not only improve the quality of life in the U.P., but set a new standard for the state of Michigan.”

Economic officials say more and better internet access would allow people to move to the UP and grow its tax base.

Nicole was born near Detroit but has lived in the U.P. most of her life. She graduated from Marquette Senior High School and attended Michigan State and Northern Michigan Universities, graduating from NMU in 1993 with a degree in English.