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<strong><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:</span></strong><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232"><br>
Friday, July 7, 2023<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<strong><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">CONTACT: </span></strong><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232"><a href="mailto:klischn@michigan.gov" target="_blank"><span style="color:#1F89C1">Nicole
Klisch</span></a><a href="mailto:olsend1@michigan.gov"><span style="color:#1F89C1"><br>
</span></a>517-512-5209<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<h1 align="center" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:center">
<span class="normaltextrun"><span style="font-size:21.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">Findings on $1.5 Billion Broadband Investments to be Shared Statewide </span></span><span class="eop"><span style="font-size:21.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232"> </span></span><span style="font-size:21.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">
<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<h2 align="center" style="mso-margin-top-alt:7.5pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:center">
<span class="normaltextrun"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">Michigan High-Speed Internet Office Encourages Residents to Weigh
</span></i></span><span class="contextualspellingandgrammarerror"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">In</span></i></span><span class="normaltextrun"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">
on Findings, Join Final Listening Tour</span></i></span><span class="textrun"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">
</span></i></span><span class="normaltextrun"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">Stops</span></i></span><span class="eop"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232"> </span></i></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232"><o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<p class="gdp" style="mso-margin-top-alt:7.5pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:0in">
<strong><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">Lansing, Mich.</span></strong><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">—The Michigan High Speed Internet Office (MIHI) is gearing up to complete
the final 10 stops of the statewide MI Connected Future Tour which is aimed at collecting input from Michigan residents on how best to prioritize the
<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm1pY2hpZ2FuLmdvdi9sZW8vbmV3cy8yMDIzLzA2LzI2L3doaXRtZXItYW5ub3VuY2VzLW1vcmUtdGhhbi0yMDBrLW1pY2hpZ2FuZGVycy13aWxsLWdhaW4tYWNjZXNzLXRvLWhpZ2gtc3BlZWQtaW50ZXJuZXQ_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5IiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDIzMDcwNy43OTMzNDg1MSJ9.F88SFoXVC_yN2QjwQRGuWKvF6uOdCS6t5pR2MF0og18/s/2603454392/br/222335089762-l" target="_blank">
<span style="color:#1F89C1">$1.5 billion federal BEAD funding the state will receive</span></a> to deliver affordable, equitable and reliable high-speed internet service throughout the state. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:7.5pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:0in">
<span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">“Our MIHI Office is excited to begin the final leg of this very ambitious tour to ensure we tackle any obstacles that stand in the way of getting Michigan citizens connected to affordable,
high-speed internet,” said <strong><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Susan Corbin</span></strong>, director of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. “We encourage residents to attend one of the final tour stops near them to
provide input and feedback on the findings the MIHI team has identified thus far.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:7.5pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:0in">
<span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">During the first portion of the tour, MIHI gathered community input and feedback about the internet needs which are most important to the state’s communities, especially topics like
affordability, accessibility, digital skills development and access to internet enabled devices. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:7.5pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:0in">
<span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">The next 10 stops of the tour aim to present MIHI’s findings and provide a high-level overview of the draft Michigan Five-Yea Action Plan and Michigan Digital Equity Plan, which was
written based on feedback from the initial stops of the tour. Attendees will be able to provide their thoughts in the form of an official public comment on the findings before the final Michigan Five-Year Action Plan and the Michigan Digital Equity Plan is
created. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:7.5pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:0in">
<span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">"The MIHI team is looking forward to providing the public with an overview and findings from the first 31 stops of the MI Connected Future tour,” said
<strong><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Eric Frederick</span></strong>, chief connectivity officer for the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office. "We are listening to every community at every stage of this tour to ensure the MIHI team provides a
comprehensive Michigan Five-Year Action Plan and Michigan Digital Equity Plan that fits the unique needs of all Michiganders.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:7.5pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:0in">
<span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">The MIHI team will be visiting each prosperity region of Michigan to present the draft plans starting the week of July 10. Residents are encouraged to attend a stop nearest them and
provide the MIHI team input and feedback. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:7.5pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:0in">
<span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">Final tour stops include: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:7.5pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:0in">
<strong><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">Escanaba: </span></strong><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">July 11, 5-7p.m., Bay College, JHUC 952 Conference Room, 2001 N Lincoln
Road, Escanaba, MI 49829 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:7.5pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:0in">
<strong><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">Petoskey: </span></strong><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">July 12, 5-7p.m., Emmet County EMS, 1201 Eppler Road, Petoskey, MI 49770 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:7.5pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:0in">
<strong><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">Fremont/Newaygo</span></strong><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">: July 18, 5-7p.m., Newaygo County RESA, Multi-Media Room, 4747 W
48th Street, Fremont, MI 49412 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:7.5pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:0in">
<strong><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">Atlanta: </span></strong><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">July 20, 5-7p.m., Atlanta Senior Center, 11780 M-33, Atlanta, MI 49709 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:7.5pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:0in">
<strong><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">Beaverton: </span></strong><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">July 25, 5-7p.m., Beaverton Junior/Senior High School, Cafeteria, 3090
Crockett Road, Beaverton, MI 48612 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:7.5pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:0in">
<strong><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">Sandusky: </span></strong><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">July 27, 5-7p.m., Westpark Inn, 440 West Sanilac Road, Sandusky, MI 48471 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:7.5pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:0in">
<strong><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">Okemos:</span></strong><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232"> August 1, 5-7p.m., Okemos Event Center, 2187 University Park Drive, Okemos,
MI 48864 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:7.5pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:0in">
<strong><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">Three Rivers: </span></strong><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">August 2, 5-7p.m., George Washington Carver Community Center, 436 Jefferson
Street, Three Rivers, MI 49093 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:7.5pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:0in">
<strong><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">Howell: </span></strong><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">August 9, 5-7p.m., Cleary University, 3725 Cleary Drive, Howell, MI 48843 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:7.5pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:0in">
<strong><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">Detroit: </span></strong><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">August 10, 5-7p.m., Focus: Hope, 1400 Oakman Blvd., Detroit, MI 48238 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:7.5pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:0in">
<span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">Learn more about the next leg of the MI Connected Future Tour and register to attend at
<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm1pY2hpZ2FuLmdvdi9sZW8vYnVyZWF1cy1hZ2VuY2llcy9taWhpL21pY29ubmVjdGVkZnV0dXJlL21pLWNvbm5lY3RlZC1mdXR1cmUtdG91ci1zY2hlZHVsZT91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkiLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMjMwNzA3Ljc5MzM0ODUxIn0.bobRVhV7XmS-7pK5MDnuhvgm6IpTx-1Qf23EYTYNtWY/s/2603454392/br/222335089762-l" target="_blank">
<span style="color:#1F89C1">Michigan.gov/MIConnectedFuture</span></a>. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">###<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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