Ann Arbor Times

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) On  June 26, 2023, announced Michigan will receive more than $1.5 billion to expand high-speed internet access to more than 200,000 Michiganders through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. Funding for this program comes from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which Dingell helped pass, and will help bring reliable internet access to unserved and underserved communities.  
“From telehealth to virtual learning to remote work opportunities, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted just how essential the internet is to our everyday lives, and just how many Americans still lack access to these basic resources,” said Dingell. “Expanding strong broadband internet access is a critical piece of bringing our infrastructure into the 21st century, and this significant funding will help bring connectivity to our communities who need it the most.” 
“Today, we have won a game-changing investment to expand access to reliable, affordable high-speed internet to 210,000 more homes across Michigan,” said Governor Whitmer. “We are focused on helping anyone ‘Make it in Michigan,’ with a comprehensive view on economic development that wins projects, invests in people, and revitalizes places. Today’s win will expand economic opportunity for Michiganders and build on the over $700 million in high-speed internet federal funding we have leveraged and $249 million we invested with the bipartisan Building Michigan Together Plan last year. Let’s keep working together to connect more families and small businesses to fast, reliable high-speed internet that meets their needs, lowers their costs, and grows our economy.”   

The NTIA is administering the BEAD Program along with additional funding programs that promote innovation and economic growth by supporting efforts to expand broadband connectivity, including the Realizing Opportunity with Broadband Infrastructure Networks (ROBIN) Grant Program.   

The Michigan High Speed Internet Office (MIHI) will finish the required BEAD 5-Year Action Plan that will set the vision, goals, and priorities for the implementation of the funds. Following the plan, MIHI will develop the BEAD Initial Proposal that will define the subgrant processes that will deploy the funds to achieve the universal availability of high-speed internet across the state.  Michigan will begin deploying the BEAD program funds mid to late 2024.  
 
Dingell has long worked to expand access to high-speed internet for all Americans, and recently introduced the Facilitating DIGITAL Applications Act to help expedite broadband expansion. 

Original source can be found here.