Market Van Buren is highlighting its role in helping to expand broadband internet availability in the Van Buren County.
The group’s Zach Morris tells us Market Van Buren started talking about the need for high-speed internet countywide in 2020 when it became clear economic development was limited due to its absence.
“We stood up a committee, a task force, to address this,” Morris said. “We took leaders from communication companies, the county, local units of government, the private sector. We came together to say this is an important priority and we need to start making sure that when money does start coming down, we’re in a position to start taking advantage of it.”
Morris says Market Van Buren worked with Midwest Energy and Communications as it sought a state ROBIN grant for broadband expansion.
Van Buren County and townships throughout put up $5.5 million to go along with MEC’s investment of $15.8 million to make a state grant of $25.3 million possible. That’s not only rolling out broadband to Van Buren County, but to Berrien and Cass as well.
“This is a regional effort, and as we know with economic development, we need to have the region around you also to be strong. So, we’re excited to be partnering with Midwest Energy as a strong local provider of these services.”
Morris says when the project is finished, more than 3,700 addresses in the county that currently don’t have broadband will be able to get it, and Van Buren County will be one of the most connected counties in the state.
Work has already started in some areas, and it’s all expected to be finished by 2026.
