As of 2023, close to 500,000 Michigan households are unserved or underserved by high-speed internet infrastructure and another 730,000 households face barriers related to a combination of affordability, adoption, device access and digital literacy. This means approximately 30% of Michigan households do not have an affordable, reliable high-speed internet connection that meets their needs. The BEAD funding will be used to close the digital divide. 

“Michiganders who lack connectivity miss out on education, healthcare and economic opportunities. We are working to create a more digitally equitable Michigan where everyone can leverage technology to improve their quality of life and ensure Michigan can compete in the global economy,” said LEO Director Susan Corbin. “We want give to give all Michigan residents the opportunity to have a say in how the state plans to spend this historic funding.”  

The initial proposal complements both the BEAD Five-Year Action Plan and the State Digital Equity Plan. The two plans offer a vision of how MIHI will work to comprehensively address connectivity challenges and create a more digitally equitable state, while Volume 1 of the BEAD Initial Proposal represents the first part of MIHI’s implementation plan. Volume 2 of the Initial Proposal will be released for public comment in the coming weeks. 

“Every Michigander deserves the opportunity to improve their quality of life with access to high-speed internet,” said Eric Frederick, Chief Connectivity Officer. “The MIHI Office has and always will take a listen first approach. We encourage all Michigan residents to have their voice heard and provide feedback on Volume 1 of the BEAD Initial Proposal.” 

Volume 1 of the Initial Proposal outlines the process that MIHI will implement to identify every home, business and institution in the state that is eligible to be connected to the internet through the BEAD Program. To ensure no locations across the state are missed, the process will allow local units of government, non-profit organizations and internet service providers to supply evidence to MIHI if locations are unserved, underserved or served by high-speed internet.  

Public comment on Volume 1 of the BEAD Initial Proposal is open now through 11:59 p.m. on October 31, 2023. Comments may be submitted through a webform or MIHI will also accept comments by postal mail.  

Learn more about the initial proposal and how to submit a comment by visiting MIHI’s website at Michigan.gov/MIHI. 

Expanding High-Speed Internet for Michiganders  

Governor Whitmer believes every family and business in Michigan deserves access to a reliable, affordable high-speed internet connection that meets their needs. High-speed internet expands economic opportunity for families, enhances educational experiences for students, and allows for remote access to key health care services.  

• Provided over 23,000 homes, businesses and community anchor institutions like schools and libraries high-speed internet access since taking office.    
• Set a state goal to provide 100% access to high-speed internet and 95% adoption by households during the next five years.    
• Provided high-speed internet access to more than 18,000 homes and businesses, through the Connecting Michigan Communities Grant Program.    
• Leveraged over $700 million in federal funding and signed the Building Michigan Together Plan that invested $249 million to connect more families and small businesses to fast, reliable high-speed internet that meets their needs.    
• Named a Chief Connectivity Officer to lead the state’s broadband efforts and leverage funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).    
• Created the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office and the Connecting Michigan Task Force to coordinate the state’s high-speed internet work and align the work with economic development opportunities. 
  

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