Stabenow, Peters Announce Over $61 Million to Connect Underserved Communities in Michigan to High-Speed Internet

Funding Made Possible by Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Senators Helped Enact

Friday, June 16, 2023

DETROIT, MI – U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (MI) and Gary Peters (MI)  today announced that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is awarding $61,256,705 in federal funding to the Peninsula Fiber Network to connect unserved and underserved communities in Michigan to high-speed internet. The project will place 535 miles of new broadband fiber to connect local networks to high-capacity national and regional networks, which will bring high-speed internet access to over 35,000 homes in rural counties in Michigan and increase the resiliency and reliability of internet infrastructure across the state. The funding is made available by the Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program, which is funded by the bipartisan infrastructure law the Senators helped enact.   

“High speed internet isn’t a luxury, it’s an essential service that we need for everything from work, school, doctors’ visits, and paying our bills. With the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Senator Peters and I were able to ensure major investments like this to expand affordable, reliable broadband in Michigan. Today’s announcement is critical for thousands of people frustrated by slow and unreliable internet connections. This new infrastructure will allow for telemedicine, remote learning, and other services families and businesses rely on,” said Senator Stabenow.

“Expanding access to reliable high-speed internet in unserved and underserved areas creates new job opportunities and supports small businesses, increases access to quality health care through telehealth, and expands educational opportunities,” said Senator Peters. “This funding is a massive win for Michiganders and communities in our state, and I’m proud to have supported the bipartisan infrastructure law that made this funding possible.”

“Internet connectivity is the backbone of Michigan’s economy, allowing businesses to thrive, connecting people to health care services and education providers, and helping people communicate locally and around the globe. This grant, combined with PFN’s own investment, will allow for the installation of middle mile infrastructure that will help to bring better and faster broadband to some of the largest underserved areas in our state while strengthening network connections between Michigan’s peninsulas and with a neighboring state,” said Peninsula Fiber Network General Manager Scott Randall. “We are thankful to our local, state and federal partners for supporting us in this grant and look forward to getting started on this vital infrastructure project.”

More information on the Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program can be found here. 

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