Program 2.0

Pursuant to Public Act 166 of 2020, the goal of the Connecting Michigan Communities 2.0 Grant is to award grants for projects that exclusively extend broadband service into unserved areas in Michigan.  Applications are to be received through a competitive grant process that is technology neutral and results in awards based on objective and efficient procedures. “Broadband service” means a retail terrestrial service capable of delivering high-speed internet access at speeds of at least 25 megabits per second downstream and 3 megabits per second upstream. “Unserved area” means either a census block lacking access to broadband service from at least one (1) internet service provider, an area lacking access to broadband service from at least one (1) internet service provider according to the most accurate and granular data on the broadband map created by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), or an area delineated through the process established in the enabling legislation without at least one (1) provider providing broadband service.  Priority shall be given to projects that demonstrate collaboration to achieve community investment and economic development goals of the area impacted, that are able to demonstrate they have the managerial, financial, and technical ability to build, operate, and manage a broadband network, the likelihood the area would not be served without state grant funding, and that the project will serve a larger unserved area or greater number of locations than other proposals.  All grant project work must be completed by September 30, 2025.​