Berrien County Commissioners on Thursday heard from Midwest Energy & Communications CEO Bob Hance, who told them about efforts to expand broadband internet in rural areas of southwest Michigan. Hance said his company took part in an FCC auction of money in the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund.
“We actually won about $37 million that obligated us to spend another $150 million or so to serve upwards of 40,000 folks that were identified in that auction,” Hance said.
Hance said that works out to about $2 million in Berrien County. Most of it is in the eastern half of the county. County Administrator Brian Dissette said most work will start in 2022 and Mercury Wireless will address the board in the coming weeks to talk about efforts in the western half of Berrien County. Commissioner Teri Freehling also reminded everyone of the broadband survey being done in the county, which will continue a little longer.
