Southfield, Michigan, September 9, 2024 – Grand Haven Township in Ottawa County, and 123NET, a premier fiber internet, colocation and voice services provider, have entered into an agreement to construct 5.5 miles of high-capacity fiber in rural areas of the township that lack high-speed internet access.
This project follows a previously announced partnership between 123NET and Ottawa County to bring high performance internet access to approximately 4,000 underserved residents, and further bridges the large digital divide that the county has historically faced.
“Ottawa county is actively working with 123NET to improve connectivity across the region with an open-access, high-performance network,” said Township Manager William Cargo. “We’re strategically adding fiber in Grand Haven Township to benefit residents today and stimulate future development. This project will realize significant cost and operational efficiencies by aligning with the broader county-wide grant project.”
The Grand Haven project includes 5.5 miles of additional new network to be added in rural parts of the Township, strategically placed in areas designated for future commercial and residential development. Grand Haven held ARPA funding for the most impactful project to the township, understanding that broadband infrastructure will significantly help the county’s residents and community both in the present and future.
“Grand Haven Township leadership has taken a great step forward by considering how the area will evolve over time and deploying the necessary infrastructure today to support future development opportunities,” said Chuck Irvin, Executive Vice President at 123NET. “For this project, Ottawa County leveraged a unique combination of funding programs to create a comprehensive, long-term broadband investment plan for the county’s constituents, including the future Michigan Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment. We’re excited to be part of this innovative, forward-looking program, and are always ready to discuss how communities can maximize these opportunities for connectivity.”
Grand Haven Township fiber installation will be completed in sections over the next few years, in coordination with the larger Ottawa County project, where construction is just beginning. 123NET plans to use both internal and local resources for the project – including West Michigan contractors and 123NET’s ten in-house construction crews.
The Ottawa County-wide Broadband Project is being supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number CPFFN0190 awarded to the State of Michigan by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Ottawa County ARPA Funds, and 123NET Capital Investment.
123NET is collaborating with local government entities to apply for Michigan Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) funding for expanding broadband access in underserved and unserved areas across the state. To learn more about this initiative and how your community can support Michigan’s broadband projects, please visit here (or www.123.net/bead-michigan/).
