Michigan signs BEAD contracts with 23 ISPs in $916m broadband funding plan

Michigan has signed grant agreements with 23 internet service providers under the federal Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) programme, moving its broadband buildout a step closer to construction, state officials announced on October 19.

The state’s BEAD programme is investing $916 million in federal funds, with the subgrantees committing a further $531 million in private matching funds. The combined $1.447 billion investment is expected to connect nearly 200,000 homes, businesses and community anchor institutions, the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity said.

Broadband Breakfast named Charter, Brightspeed and Michigan Bell Telephone among the subgrantees; the state’s published list includes Brightspeed, Michigan Bell Telephone Company and Spectrum, alongside smaller providers including 123NET, Frontier North, Great Lakes Energy and several rural telephone cooperatives.

“Thanks to the commitment of our BEAD subgrantees, who are investing their own funds alongside this effort, we’re bringing more communities closer to these opportunities and building a stronger, more connected Michigan,” said department director Susan Corbin.

The Michigan High-Speed Internet Office has been working with BEAD awardees to finalise grant agreements and prepare projects to move forward. With contracts signed, subgrantees can complete pre-construction requirements such as permitting and begin preparing for construction. The office expects five further provisionally selected subgrantees to execute agreements soon, and providers have four years to complete their projects.