By DEBRA HAIGHT
BCR Correspondent
ST. JOSEPH – With more people working from home and many students having to study remotely during this year’s COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a renewed focus on the need for better internet service in rural parts of the county.
The issue is also gaining traction statewide. The Michigan House of Representatives approved a plan to improve broadband access in rural parts of the state, including $14.3 million for rural broadband infrastructure. If approved by the state senate and the governor, the new program will be called the Broadband Expansion Act of Michigan or BEAM.
Last week, Berrien County Commissioners heard a report on the efforts of the board’s rural broadband committee over the last year. The committee has worked with Southwest Michigan Planning Commission Director John Egelhaaf to research the issue and find possible solutions.
They recommended the county hire a nonprofit organization called the Merit Network to conduct a needs survey so the county has accurate data in order to apply for grants. Commissioners are expected to spend $28,500 to hire Merit at their meeting this week. The vote was delayed to add language to the motion acknowledging that there was no bid.
Egelhaaf reported that their research included contacting companies, academic experts and non profit broadband experts. He and committee members Teri Freehling, Jim Curran and Ezra Scott recommended working with the Merit Network since they have worked with other governments in the state of Michigan.
They said their research found that federal and state grants are available but that accurate maps are needed to show need and where action should be focused. Merit, if hired, is expected to provide accurate maps and other data which can be used to apply for grants and form public/private partnerships.
Committee members said they believe the issue is critical enough that the county board should move forward now and not wait until the new year. “I’ve come to realize how critical broadband is,” Freehling said. “I’ve known it for a few years just from where we live (Baroda). The pandemic has made this more of a glaring urgent need for the country and this county.”
“I appreciate all the time John Egelhaaf has put into this,” Curran said. “Really the Merit study is the first step before we can even think about applying for a grant. The FCC maps are inaccurate and the Merit survey will show what we have and don’t have.”
“What is so important is to get the word out to communities to let people know to fill out the survey and not just throw it away as junk mail,” Scott said. “Berrien County will once again be leading the state on this, we need as much participation as possible.”
John Axe, whose law firm advises the county on various legal matters, reported to the board later in the meeting on what state statutes would be involved if the county pursues action on rural broadband.
He said state law allows the county to help provide telecommunication services if requirements are first met such as holding public hearings and providing cost benefit analyses. “There are things the county can do to assist such as granting easements for broadband installations,” he said.
He noted that some townships in nearby counties like Allegan and Van Buren have already applied for rural broadband type of grants.
At least one Berrien County township is on board in pursuing rural broadband options. Oronoko Township in the central part of the county has some rural areas where it’s hard to get dependable internet service.
Oronoko Township Board members approved a resolution in September in support of countywide efforts to expand broadband service in the township and other rural parts of the county. Supervisor Mike Hildebrand has been working closely with county officials as well as Berrien Springs Superintendent David Eichberg.
Hildebrand said last week that he’s glad to see the county make it a top priority. “I met with Brian Dissette (the county administrator) and he seems to have this as a high priority,” he said.
Hildebrand said things the county could do include signing on as a partner with providers which would open the entire county to additional providers and more competition. The county could also do other things such as provide right of way easements to run conduit next to roads and utilize their bond rating if a project has to be financed, he said.
“I have had several conversations with (county commissioner) Teri Freehling and John Egelhaaf (from the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission) as well,” he added. “What’s nice is that there is a lot of leg work being done that doesn’t have to be duplicated by people like me. If they can pave the path, we will be happy to utilize it.”
Hildebrand said the survey the county is expected to approve this week with the Merit Network is a good first step. The survey Merit will conduct and the data they’ll collect will refute inaccurate FCC maps that show that Berrien County doesn’t have a rural broadband problem, he said.
“Once accurate data is available, we believe we will qualify for grants and other assistance and are prepared to be early adopters in the county of expanding reasonable, reliable service to areas of Oronoko where we are stuck with 50-plus year old phone line masquerading as high-speed internet,” he said.
He noted that the pandemic has exacerbated the situation with more people working from homes and many students still getting their education virtually. Added into that is the topography of the area with its hills and valleys which keeps satellite and wireless services from working properly.
“A reliable wired connection serving every residence is our eventual goal,” Hildebrand said. “The county is working to identify additional options and providers. We just need to find a way to pay for the necessary expansion once the options are identified.”
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