Gov. Whitmer, MIHI celebrate 10,000 Michigan homes and businesses receiving critical high-speed internet connectivity through ROBIN grants

Lansing, Mich. — Today, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office (MIHI) celebrated investments that connected more than 10,000 homes and businesses to high-speed internet thanks to Realizing Opportunity with Broadband Infrastructure Networks (ROBIN) funding. Providing access to affordable high-speed internet will benefit more Michiganders with online learning, healthcare and economic opportunities. MIHI is working to create a more digitally equitable Michigan where everyone can leverage technology to improve their quality of life.

Connecting these 10,000 homes and businesses is a milestone in what will be a continuation of ROBIN funding bringing broadband connectivity across the state. The second and final round of ROBIN grants has been awarded and will expand the program to invest $238 million in grant funds and an additional $218 million in private matching funds to bring high-speed internet access to more than 71,500 previously unserved locations throughout the state.

“Access to affordable, reliable high-speed internet is a necessity to pay the bills, do homework, access telehealth services and so much more,” said Governor Whitmer. “Today’s announcement of the ROBIN program’s 10,000th high-speed internet connection is a sign of our commitment to building out this critical infrastructure in every region of Michigan. Together, let’s keep boosting connectivity, improving quality of life for families, and creating thousands of good-paying jobs in the process.”

The second round of ROBIN grant awards included $71,776,890.94 in grant funds awarded to 17 total projects from seven applicants who are providing another $86,380,646.20 in matching funds. These projects will connect 16,023 Michigan houses and businesses that don’t have access to high-speed internet.

This funding builds on the first round of ROBIN grant awards announced in October 2023, helping 55,425 unserved locations receive high-speed internet through $166 million in grants and $133 million in matching funds. In total, the ROBIN program will provide $238 million in federal funding to support the deployment of high-speed internet throughout the state thanks to the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund investment.

ROBIN is just one piece of MIHI's broader efforts to increase affordable, internet access. MIHI is also working to implement the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program and will soon begin accepting project applications from entities that wish to apply for funding to construct high-speed internet infrastructure. 

"Affordable high-speed internet has become a necessity in our professional, personal and social lives,” said Susan Corbin, Director of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. “We are excited to announce the second round of ROBIN grant awardees who will build upon the work MIHI has already done and provide much-needed funding support for the development and expansion of broadband infrastructure to underserved Michigan communities.”

ROBIN-funded projects will reach 51 of Michigan’s 83 counties by the time construction is complete at the end of 2026.

“ROBIN is the first piece of the puzzle when it comes to reaching universal broadband availability here in Michigan,” said Eric Frederick, Michigan’s chief connectivity officer. “MIHI is thrilled to get the final grant funding out the door to internet service providers and public-private partnerships awardees, so they can use these funds to deploy broadband infrastructure and expand high-speed internet to the state’s unserved areas.”

“Deploying high-speed internet is critical to meeting the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal of expanding economic opportunity in communities across the country,” said Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo. “The projects announced today are key to President Biden’s Investing in America agenda and will help thousands of families and businesses in Michigan compete in the 21st century economy.”  

A list of final grant awards can be found at Michigan.gov/MIHI. To view a map that includes ROBIN award locations, visit MichiganBroadbandMap.com.