Last week, Lt. Governor Gilchrist and the Department of Technology, Management & Budget (DTMB) announced an additional $15.3 million in funding for high-speed internet access projects awarded through the Connecting Michigan Communities (CMIC) grant program. The funding will support 20 projects across the state that will bring service to 6,700 locations and is projected to have an annual economic benefit of as much as $12.4 million.
Hotspot Map This is the third round of awards for projects that will expand broadband infrastructure across Michigan and provide access to high-speed internet for residents and businesses to compete in today’s digital society. The first round of CMIC grants were announced in October 2020 and the second round was awarded in April 2021. The $28.2 million in total grant funds awarded so far will benefit more than 18,000 locations in Michigan and generate annual economic benefits that could exceed $32 million.
All projects awarded funding have committed to closing the digital divide and providing digital literacy training materials to residents and businesses in their proposed service area while working with local community and anchor institutions and foundations to host events promoting e-learning, job training, and workforce development.
A full list of the CMIC grant awards is available at the CMIC website, along with information about future grant opportunities. Visit https://www.michigan.gov/dtmb/0,5552,7-358-82547_56345_91154—,00.html
