A plan that state Rep. Greg Alexander has co-sponsored working to connect more residents, families and local job providers across the Thumb region with high-speed, reliable internet access was advanced today by the Michigan House.

House Bill 4287 ensures critical connectivity infrastructure expansion through broadband grant funds. The plan will help address digital deserts – regions with little to no reliable internet access – which have significantly impacted rural areas.

“More and more people in our state are utilizing the internet for a vast majority of their everyday needs – not just in highly populated cities, but across rural areas as well,” said Alexander, of Carsonville. “Consumers are buying products online from local businesses. Farms are buying equipment digitally to support their livelihoods. Families are using telehealth services or furthering their children’s educations through remote learning. This trend is playing out everywhere, and we need effective services to accommodate it.

“This is a major priority for communities and residents I represent, and I’ll continue fighting to get more people more reliable access to this vital resource.”

Various state and federal broadband grant programs award funds to broadband providers with the intent these funds be used to further develop broadband infrastructure. But these grant awards are currently not tax exempt and are considered income, meaning a grant recipient must pay taxes on the award amount. This requires applicants to reserve funds they could otherwise use to match grant funds and make their applications more competitive – a process that slows expansion efforts.

Over a dozen grant programs would be eligible, including Broadband Expansion Act of Michigan (BEAM), the Middle-Mile Grant Program, the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, which is administered by the Federal Communication Commission, and more.

HB 4287, which was advanced with overwhelming, bipartisan support, now moves to the Senate for consideration.