State grant to help bring high-speed internet to thousands in SW MI

Michael Oszust
·1 min read

PAW PAW, Mich. (WOOD) — A state grant will help bring high-speed internet to thousands of residents and businesses in southwest Michigan.

Midwest Energy and Communications, an internet service provider, was awarded the grant as part of the state’s Realizing Opportunity with Broadband Infrastructure Networks program, according to a Van Buren County news release.

The grant will help fund a project to provide fiber service to nearly 7,000 addresses in Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph and Van Buren counties that don’t have access to high-speed internet, the release said.

The internet service provider will invest $15.8 million, the state roughly $25.3 million, the county will contribute more than $4.1 million and 13 Van Buren County townships nearly $1.4 million, according to the release.

Construction has already started in some areas of Van Buren County, and work is expected to continue into 2026, the release said.

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