Van Buren County stands to get expanded broadband internet as part of a state grant that could be coming to Midwest Energy and Communications. The company’s Amy Pales told us this week the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office has recommended MEC be approved for a $27.6 million ROBIN grant for the installation of fiber in Berrien, Van Buren, Cass, and St. Joseph counties. We reported this means new service availability for 5,000 unserved homes in Berrien County, and it also means expansion to 3,400 unserved homes in Van Buren County. Pales says it’s those rural areas the company focuses on.
“We’re a local company,” Pales said. “We’re from Cassopolis, and a lot of our employees live in these rural communities, so they know what it feels like to not have access to this. So, we’ve been dedicated to bringing them that service.”
As part of MEC’s ROBIN Grant application, it pledged to invest $15.5 million, while Van Buren County pledged $4.1 million, and 12 townships in the county will commit nearly $1.4 million. MEC says this project will include approximately 92% of the homes in Van Buren County that currently lack access to high-speed internet. Plus, it will give additional broadband options to those living in areas near MEC’s main focus. If the grant gets final approval, work could start this year and be completed in 2026.
The following townships committed matching funds to enhance MEC’s competitiveness for grant funding:
Almena
Antwerp
Bangor
Covert
Decatur
Hamilton
Hartford
Keeler
Lawrence
Paw Paw
Porter
South Haven
