Benton Harbor City Commissioners have approved an agreement with broadband company Peninsula Fiber Network for the use of city property as it works to build a high-speed internet line under Lake Michigan.
At Monday’s regular meeting, commissioners were told PFN is seeking to bring that broadband line from Chicago ashore at Jean Klock Park. The company will also construct a building for broadband equipment on the Benton Harbor water intake pump house property.
Commissioner Juanita Henry said she’s requested a report on PFN’s early borings at the park to be sure the attraction won’t be negatively impacted, but hasn’t received it. However, Mayor Marcus Muhammad said all indications are that the project will be a win for the city and the entire state.
“Jean Klock Park was perfect for the particular project, so I have no reservations in terms of it ill-affecting the beach, certainly not the residents,” Muhammad said. “It can only add to the value of the city of Benton Harbor.”
As part of the agreement, PFN will run a one gigabyte line to several city-owned facilities — including the water plant, city hall, and the library — and provide them with free service for seven years. City Manager Alex Little said that opens up additional possibilities.
“They’ll also be making service available to us that the city can, at its determination, connect if it wants to set up and start providing service to residents or businesses or whomever within the city, it’ll be able to do that,” Little said.
Little said the city would get that internet at a wholesale rate once the seven years is up. PFN will also pay the $320,000 cost to lay all that fiber.
Commissioners approved the agreement with only Commissioner Henry voting no.
