The Michigan High Speed Internet Office (MIHI) is traveling around the state asking for feedback, this after it was announced that Michigan will receive $1.5 billion in federal funding for high-speed internet.
The office will finish up its MI Connected Future Tour with 10 stops which will hit all prosperity regions in Michigan.
Previously, MIHI visited 31 locations in Michigan for the first portion of the tour. During that time, they gathered input from Michigan residents about internet topics including affordability and accessibility.
Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity Communications Representative Nicole Klisch said one of the biggest takeaways from the stops is that every area has different needs.
Klisch said the office has taken the feedback and input of the first stops to draft two plans.
As the office heads into the final stops of the tour, they will ask for Michiganders’ opinion on drafts of Michigan’s Five-Year Action Plan and the state’s Digital Equity Plan.
“The goal is to really get feedback on these two plans, the Five-Year Action Plan and the Digital Equity Plan and just make sure that they are getting it right,” Klisch said.
According to Klisch, MIHI feels this tour is necessary because they believe input from Michigan residents is important.
“These next 10 stops really aim to get that community feedback,” Klisch said. “That has been the goal of MIHI from the very beginning. They want to listen first, and act second.”
The tour will pick up again on July 11 in Escanaba. The tour will also visit Petoskey, Sandusky, Atlanta and Beaverton.