As Berrien County seeks to continue the expansion of broadband internet in unserved communities, it’s hit a bump in the road.
Speaking at Thursday’s meeting of the Berrien County Board of Commissioners, the broadband committee’s Teri Freehling said the federal government has implemented new rules for the Broadband Equity and Deployment, or BEAD, program.
Earlier this year, the county indicated its support for internet service providers seeking part of $1.4 billion in BEAD grants that were to be available in Michigan. Freehling says the new changes to the program from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration mean efforts so far made to secure those dollars have been in vain.
“As of now, all applications from the state of Michigan are null and void because of what the reform guidances have come out for BEAD,” Freehling said. “I sat in on that webinar. They do have a pretty fast and aggressive timeline from the MIHI office to accept applications once they get everything rolled out.”
Freehling said the BEAD program is now putting its focus on more than just fiber technology, also supporting technologies like satellite internet. Since ISPs in Berrien County and around Michigan have focused mostly on laying fiber, their projects are no longer in line with BEAD standards.
Freehling said the state is now aggressively working to get new applications for funding available. It has 90 days to do so.
