Around $25 million in grant money is now available to help rural Michigan communities gain access to high-speed internet. Local governments, non-profits, corporations and tribal communities can apply for the grant money until August 20.
The funds come from 2021's bi-partisan infrastructure law, which expanded nationwide infrastructure improvement programs. The applications and distribution of the funds will be managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development branch.
The funds will provide technical assistance in the planning stages of new high-speed internet access. This includes network designs, hiring efforts, application development assistance and more. According to the USDA, the actual building and installation of the internet networks will be done by the local communities applying for the grant money.
According to Michigan's High-Speed Internet Office, 31% of households in the state do not have a reliable internet connection.
Basil Gooden of the USDA said that access to the new high-speed networks will help with economic growth.
"Whether it's entrepreneurship, creating new businesses, connecting rural communities to the rest of the world, to be able to sell your products, to just let the world know about some of the services and some of the assets that we have in rural areas,” Gooden said.
According to USDA, the timetable is unclear for when any new broadband services would be activated.
