Lahti applauds work to bring broadband to rural areas

LANSING -- State Representative Mike Lahti (D-Hancock) recently applauded efforts by the State Department of Information Technology (DIT) and Michigan Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to generate applications for federal funding to bring broadband and wireless Internet service to rural areas throughout the state.

"Today, broadband and wireless Internet access is less of a luxury and more of a necessity," Lahti said. "Our businesses and students depend on a high-speed connection to the world to ensure they can succeed in the 21st century economy."

The applications are the first in a three-part process to receive federal stimulus grants through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which made $7.2 billion available for competitive grants to improve broadband services. Of the funding, $4.7 billion will be awarded by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration for building broadband infrastructure, increasing public computer center capacity, funding sustainable broadband adoption programs and implementing detailed state broadband mapping.

The DIT is working with residents, businesses, local government, schools and libraries throughout the state on developing a proposal to bring a significant percentage of these funds to Michigan. The application process is highly detailed, and the deadline for submission is Aug. 14.

"Broadband accessibility is vital to our communities," Lahti said. "It helps our small-town businesses grow and compete with those in big cities. And it allows our students to have access to the same information as those in larger areas. I encourage our communities to speak out about how important this service is to the success and turnaround of our state."