Current Efforts & Timeline
Update on Broadband Expansion Efforts as of January 24, 2024
Check your current Broadband Parcel Status and ISP Provider
Paw Paw, Mich. – High-speed fiber internet is coming to 3,734 unserved and underserved rural residents and businesses in Van Buren County. This is part of the State of Michigan’s Realizing Opportunity with Broadband Infrastructure Networks (ROBIN) grant program. Learn more about the ROBIN Grant Program.
The grant was awarded to Midwest Energy & Communications to bring fiber service to nearly 7,000 addresses in Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph (MI), and Van Buren Counties. “Unserved and underserved” refers to areas without internet speeds of at least 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload.
MEC will invest $15.8 million, and the State will contribute $25.3 million. In Van Buren County, the County will contribute over $4.1 million and 13 townships nearly $1.4 million. These townships include Almena, Antwerp, Bangor, Covert, Decatur, Hamilton, Hartford, Keeler, Lawrence, Paw Paw, Pine Grove, Porter, and South Haven.
“Van Buren County is proud to announce this transformational event,” said Randall Peat, Chair of the Van Buren County Board of Commissioners. “The establishment of a county-wide high-speed broadband system will enhance the health, safety, and well-being of County residents, guests, and the business community.”
The project will also reach 1,995 addresses considered served by the State, benefiting a total of 5,729 addresses.
“Six years ago, we prioritized broadband internet for every home and business in the county,” stated Zach Morris, Executive Director of Market Van Buren. “We are now in a position to be the most connected rural county in Michigan.”
Construction has begun and will continue through 2026. Check your eligibility at Team Midwest Internet.
About Market Van Buren
Market Van Buren connects people, investments, and organizations with strategies to improve quality of life and economic conditions in Cass and Van Buren counties. Visit Market Van Buren or follow us on Twitter @MarketVanBuren and Facebook @MarketVanBuren.
About Van Buren County
Van Buren County, in Southwest Michigan, features beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline, inland lakes, scenic rivers, and a strong agricultural heritage. Learn more at Van Buren County or follow us on Facebook @VanBurenCountyMI and Twitter @VanBurenCoMI.
Learn More About This Announcement
Background
In March 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocated $14.6 million to Van Buren County. These funds support affordable broadband access. The Van Buren County Internet Task Force began meeting to discuss funding and strategies.
In January 2022, the County Board allocated $7 million of ARPA funds for rural broadband expansion. Additional funding sources will be pursued as needed.
Accurate, detailed maps of broadband infrastructure are essential for effective funding allocation.
Why Does High-Speed Internet Access Matter?
High-speed internet access offers many benefits, including improved educational, healthcare, and economic opportunities. According to the State of Michigan’s Office of High-Speed Internet, benefits include:
- “Students with high-speed, home internet access have an overall grade point average of 3.18. This is significantly higher than the average 2.81 GPA for students with no home access and 2.75 average for students with only cell phone access.
- Increased access to the internet can help address issues of isolation among older adults. Studies have shown that isolation is associated with worse health outcomes and even premature death among adults aged 50 and over.
- Effective use of telemedicine can reduce hospitalizations of nursing home patients and reduce health care costs.
- Small businesses that have websites have higher annual revenues and are more likely to have recently hired one or more employees than similar businesses that aren’t online. Those that use social media weekly are three times more likely to have been hired recently than those that don’t.
- A study of manufacturers found that 40% said they were able to add new customers and 57% said they saved money because of their high-speed internet connection.
- Farmers who gain high-speed internet access experience an average 6% increase in farm revenue.
- Having a home broadband connection gives households an estimated economic impact of $1,850 per year.”
Questions?
For questions about broadband expansion, contact VanBurenBroadband@outlook.com.
County Press Releases
- State Grant to make Van Buren one of the most connected rural Counties in MI | January 24, 2024
- Van Buren County Potential Beneficiary of State of Michigan Broadband Funding | June 21, 2023
- Van Buren County Begins First Step in Broadband Expansion Efforts | March 30, 2022
Broadband Expansion in The News
- Van Buren County could see more rollout of broadband under grant | June 21, 2023 | Moody on the Market
- Van Buren County to get expanded broadband under grant plan | June 21, 2023 | 94.9 WJSM
- Survey Helping To Expand Broadband In Van Buren County | September 3, 2022 | 94.9 WJSM
- Market Van Buren Working With Van Buren County To Expand Broadband Internet | August 29, 2022 | 94.9 WJSM
- Reliable broadband internet coming to rural areas of Van Buren County | April 3, 2022 | South Haven Tribune
- VB County commits $7 million for broadband expansion | Feb. 13, 2022 | South Haven Tribune
- Van Buren County Aiming For Full Broadband Coverage In Five Years | March 30, 2022 | 94.9 WSJM
- 1,300 miles of road will be driven in effort to bring broadband to all of Van Buren County | March 30, 2022 | Mlive
- Van Buren County Mapping Broadband Availability, On The Road to Improving It | March 30, 2022 | Moody on the Market
- Van Buren County to begin broadband internet survey | April 1, 2021 | Herald-Palladium
