WEST OLIVE, MI (WHTC-AM/FM, Mar. 17, 2023) – Ottawa County is apparently following the lead of Allegan County in expanding broadband access.
On Thursday, the Ottawa County Department of Strategic Impact announced that the County Board has approved a deal with Detroit-area based 123NET for getting about 10,000 households online with fiberoptic connectivity to the Internet. The $27 million project will be funded in part by $7.5 million from the American Rescue Plan Act, $3.5 million by the contractor, and additional state and federal grants that 123NET has applied for.
Last Saturday, the company submitted paperwork for a state Realizing Opportunities with Broadband Infrastructure Networks grant, looking for $30 million in order to help fund a $70 million project for Allegan County. 123NET is trying to get around 12,000 households there hooked up with fiberoptic Internet access.
The state’s High-Speed Internet Office is expected to make a preliminary decision on these funding request late next month, with a final awarding slated for July. If approved, 123NET should be sending 10 of its own crews, along with independent contractors, out later this summer for instillation efforts that is expected to last through 2024.
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