Midland County, Mich., Examines Broadband Timing, Build-Out

(TNS) — Midland County Internet Connectivity Committee (MCICC) gave an update on broadband efforts at the Board of Commissioners meeting March 17.

The update included revised timing for Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) 2.0 and new data. The BEAD program is a federal initiative aimed at delivering high-speed Internet nationwide.

Midland County received $920 million in federal funds for the BEAD program earlier this year.

Director of Broadband Initiatives Scott Noesen gave an overview of broadband efforts during the meeting.

For the first quarter of the year, Noesen said a few items remain. In addition to completing the environmental assessment, Internet service provider contracts still need to be signed.

Once both are complete, the focus will shift to BEAD funding available to Internet service providers through reimbursements and ensuring that all buildouts are finished by the end of 2029.

"Some places have to do an environmental assessment that's been streamlined, and it should happen relatively quickly," Noesen said.

Noesen also outlined the number of eligible unserved or underserved locations in each district. District 1 has 842 eligible locations, District 2 has 618, District 3 has 592, District 4 has 151, District 5 has 297 and District 7 has none.

Midland County residents can use the Broadband map website to look up available Internet service providers.

More information is available at mbami.org/broadband.

Other business at the meeting included:

• Approval of an independent contractor agreement for the vacant Director of Elections position. The term of the agreement is 12 months with the option to extend or renew.
• Acceptance of grant funding of $37,200 from the Midland Area Community Foundation to help fund a MIHOPE Recovery Coach.
• Approval of a resolution pledging full faith and credit for the financing of the Four Lakes Level Project, Four Lakes Special Assessment District Bonds, Series 2026.
• Approval of the Drain Commissioner's plan to issue bonds that won't exceed $4 million to finance a drainage project on the Woodland Estates Drain.
• Approval of a job description and scoring for the Deputy County Clerk — Circuit Court position completed by Municipal Consulting Services LLC and an increase from a pay grade 4 to 5 effective March 28.

The next meeting will be April 7 at 9 a.m.

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