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<title>PRESS RELEASE: Michiganders Asked for Feedback on Using $1.6B in Federal Funding to Expand High-Speed Internet Access Across the State</title>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">FYI<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Draft first stage plan for Improving Broadband Access using federal funds. Libraries are considered “Community Anchor Institutions.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Clare<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">Clare D. Membiela, MLS, J.D.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">Library Law Consultant<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">Library of Michigan<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><a href="mailto:MembielaC@michigan.gov"><span style="color:#0563C1">MembielaC@michigan.gov</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">517-335-8132<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">The research and resources above are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice
with respect to any particular issue or problem.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT;color:black;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">“</span><i><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Edwardian Script ITC";color:black;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">If
</span></i><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Edwardian Script ITC";color:black;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">there</span></i><i><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Edwardian Script ITC";color:black;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"> is
any fixed star in our constitutional constellation,it is that no official, high or petty, can prescribe what shall be orthodox in politics, nationalism, religion, or other matters of opinion</span></i><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Edwardian Script ITC";color:black;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">…</span><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Freestyle Script";color:black;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">.”</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Fairwater Script";color:black;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">West Va. Bd. Of Ed. V. Barnette,
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">319 U.S., at 642<span style="color:#0E568D">.</span></span><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">The Michigan School Meals program allows for all public school students, grades Pre-K to 12, to eat breakfast and lunch for free. Learn
<a href="https://www.michigan.gov/mde/services/food/michigan-school-meals">more</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><img border="0" width="236" height="120" style="width:2.4583in;height:1.25in" id="Picture_x0020_3" src="cid:image001.jpg@01D9F842.8D421AF0"><o:p></o:p></p>
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<div style="border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity <LEO@govsubscriptions.michigan.gov>
<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Friday, October 6, 2023 10:04 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> Membiela, Clare (MDE) <MembielaC@michigan.gov><br>
<b>Subject:</b> PRESS RELEASE: Michiganders Asked for Feedback on Using $1.6B in Federal Funding to Expand High-Speed Internet Access Across the State<o:p></o:p></p>
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<span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:white">--- PRESS RELEASE ---<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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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, October 6, 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">Michiganders Asked for Feedback on Using $1.6B in Federal Funding to Expand High-Speed Internet Access</span></span><span class="textrun"><span style="font-size:21.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">
</span></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span style="font-size:21.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">Across the State</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"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">Michigan High-Speed Internet Office opens public comment on Volume 1 of Michigan’s BEAD Initial Proposal</span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">
<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
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<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 now accepting public
comment on Volume 1 of Michigan’s Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Initial Proposal. Public comments will be used to help draft MIHI’s proposal for how Michigan will use the
<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm1pY2hpZ2FuLmdvdi9sZW8vbmV3cy8yMDIzLzA2LzI2L3doaXRtZXItYW5ub3VuY2VzLW1vcmUtdGhhbi0yMDBrLW1pY2hpZ2FuZGVycy13aWxsLWdhaW4tYWNjZXNzLXRvLWhpZ2gtc3BlZWQtaW50ZXJuZXQ_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5IiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDIzMTAwNi44MzY5NTYwMSJ9.jLlSAms3BY55BbWPPT8xHq6neZLTPa3pyj8AYlp1ryA/s/1366448368/br/227549548949-l" target="_blank">
<span style="color:#1F89C1">historic $1.559 billion funding allocation from the BEAD Act</span></a> to expand access to high-speed internet service to more homes, businesses and community anchor institutions in the state. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">As of 2023, close to 500,000 Michigan households are unserved or underserved by high-speed internet infrastructure and another 730,000 households face barriers related to a combination
of affordability, adoption, device access and digital literacy. This means approximately 30% of Michigan households do not have an affordable, reliable high-speed internet connection that meets their needs. The BEAD funding will be used to close the digital
divide. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">“Michiganders who lack connectivity miss out on education, healthcare and economic opportunities. We are working to create a more digitally equitable Michigan where everyone can leverage
technology to improve their quality of life and ensure Michigan can compete in the global economy,” said LEO Director
<strong><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Susan Corbin</span></strong>. “We want give to give all Michigan residents the opportunity to have a say in how the state plans to spend this historic funding.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">The initial proposal complements both the
<a href="https://www.michigan.gov/leo/-/media/Project/Websites/leo/Documents/MIHI/BEAD/MIHI-BEAD-Five-Year-Plan.pdf?hash=C17537D47EBA25B80E6C32C1EA0CC774&rev=e917202c68cb4bbf8b2437c524d53345&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery" target="_blank">
<span style="color:#1F89C1">BEAD Five-Year Action Plan </span></a>and the <a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm1pY2hpZ2FuLmdvdi9sZW8vLS9tZWRpYS9Qcm9qZWN0L1dlYnNpdGVzL2xlby9Eb2N1bWVudHMvTUlISS9ERS1QbGFuLS0tRFJBRlQucGRmP2hhc2g9NDJCRTgzNEVFNDVFMjM1NERDOEM5RDMxN0Q3RDUyQ0QmcmV2PTZhZWRhZWExNTcwYjRkMjE5MjFhZDE5NTgwNDVhYTBjJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzEwMDYuODM2OTU2MDEifQ.9JsUMbOaD8iOq38hdHWSU24WvOKNO6kT7a_4V7gRj6Q/s/1366448368/br/227549548949-l" target="_blank">
<span style="color:#1F89C1">State Digital Equity Plan</span></a>. The two plans offer a vision of how MIHI will work to comprehensively address connectivity challenges and create a more digitally equitable state, while
<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm1pY2hpZ2FuLmdvdi9sZW8vLS9tZWRpYS9Qcm9qZWN0L1dlYnNpdGVzL2xlby9Eb2N1bWVudHMvTUlISS9CRUFEL1ZvbHVtZS0xLU1JSEktQkVBRC1DaGFsbGVuZ2UtUHJvY2Vzcy1QdWJsaWMtQy5wZGY_aGFzaD1GNTVCNzEzRkQ1MEI0MDVBRTdDMzM1NERBQTZDMTU5NiZyZXY9NTg3MjljOTEyZmJkNDIyNzg4MjZkMDA2YmNlZmY5MmImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5IiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDIzMTAwNi44MzY5NTYwMSJ9._9BW8bI4VHvWQRWNlMmbbIWnQm_YeTxxnVosBRK_0Go/s/1366448368/br/227549548949-l" target="_blank">
<span style="color:#1F89C1">Volume 1 of the BEAD Initial Proposal</span></a> represents the first part of MIHI’s implementation plan. Volume 2 of the Initial Proposal will be released for public comment in the coming weeks. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">“Every Michigander deserves the opportunity to improve their quality of life with access to high-speed internet,” said<strong><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"> Eric Frederick</span></strong>,
Chief Connectivity Officer. “The MIHI Office has and always will take a listen first approach. We encourage all Michigan residents to have their voice heard and provide feedback on Volume 1 of the BEAD Initial Proposal.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">Volume 1 of the Initial Proposal outlines the process that MIHI will implement to identify every home, business and institution in the state that is eligible to be connected to the
internet through the BEAD Program. To ensure no locations across the state are missed, the process will allow local units of government, non-profit organizations and internet service providers to supply evidence to MIHI if locations are unserved, underserved
or served by high-speed internet. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">Public comment on Volume 1 of the BEAD Initial Proposal is open now through 11:59 p.m. on October 31, 2023. Comments may be submitted through a webform or MIHI will also accept comments
by postal mail. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">Learn more about the initial proposal and how to submit a comment by visiting MIHI’s website at
<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm1pY2hpZ2FuLmdvdi9sZW8vYnVyZWF1cy1hZ2VuY2llcy9taWhpP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzEwMDYuODM2OTU2MDEifQ.Dhmc_joO9y2IUQ2pZul_k_rPFdymmOEGKADBddnegsw/s/1366448368/br/227549548949-l" target="_blank">
<span style="color:#1F89C1">Michigan.gov/MIHI</span></a>. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="gdp" align="center" style="mso-margin-top-alt:7.5pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:center">
<span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">###<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<strong><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">Expanding High-Speed Internet for Michiganders</span></strong><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323232">Governor Whitmer believes every family and business in Michigan deserves access to a reliable, affordable high-speed internet connection that meets their needs. High-speed internet
expands economic opportunity for families, enhances educational experiences for students, and allows for remote access to key health care services. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Provided over 23,000 homes, businesses and community anchor institutions like schools and libraries high-speed internet access since taking office.
<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#323232;margin-bottom:5.25pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Set a state goal to provide 100% access to high-speed internet and 95% adoption by households during the next five years.
<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#323232;margin-bottom:5.25pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Provided high-speed internet access to more than 18,000 homes and businesses, through the Connecting Michigan Communities Grant Program.
<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#323232;margin-bottom:5.25pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Leveraged over $700 million in federal funding and signed the Building Michigan Together Plan that invested $249 million to connect more families and small businesses to fast, reliable high-speed
internet that meets their needs. <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#323232;margin-bottom:5.25pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Named a Chief Connectivity Officer to lead the state’s broadband efforts and leverage funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).
<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#323232;margin-bottom:5.25pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Created the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office and the Connecting Michigan Task Force to coordinate the state’s high-speed internet work and align the work with economic development opportunities.
<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
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