INGHAM COUNTY, Mich. (WILX) – In today’s world, strong internet access is more important than ever.
Michigan received nearly $1.6 billion to begin strengthening our broadband infrastructure.
About two years ago, people started filling out surveys about their Internet access. Today, the fact-gathering process requires one more step before improvements can begin.
Ingham County residents are asked to review this map during this process. It shows the internet strength for a specific address, and they want you to confirm that the strength you listed is correct.
If you are listed with a green speed and you think you actually have a slower yellow or red speed, the county will miss out on funding to improve your internet access.
“So you can enter your information to determine your speed so you can challenge what your internet provider says it is,” Ingham County Supervisor Greg Todd said.
If the state doesn’t know you have a problem, they can’t help you fix it, so Ingham County is giving people one last chance to get involved.
“I know the state’s intent is to serve everyone who is unserved, but at the end of the day, it’s going to be a competitive grant process,” Todd said. “So we have to put in those grant dollars and see what we get. What.”
Robin Powers lives in Derry Township and occasionally works from home on a slow internet connection. In the past, when service got particularly bad, he had to use his local library.
“It’s frustrating. It’s just frustrating. I’m wasting time waiting for data to come down and sending data,” Powers said.
The Internet cable ends about a half-mile from his home, and it would cost $10,000 to extend the cable.
“I’m in Ingham County, the same county our state capitol is in. So it’s ridiculous that there is no service or that it’s underserved,” Powers said.
Ingham County anticipates there are many more people like the yet-to-be-determined powers, and if identified through the Merit Bead Mapping Challenge, the county could address their concerns.
“Start by looking at the Michigan Broadband Map. Check your location and see what (service) it says you have. If you feel like what it says is incorrect, you can go to Merit’s webpage and sign up for a speed test,” Todd said.
Ingham County residents have until April 23 to challenge the internet speeds listed on the Michigan Broadband Map.
The grant process will open to Michigan counties this summer, and grant amounts and locations should be finalized by the summer of 2025.
The state says about 31% of Michigan households do not have an internet connection that meets their needs.
If you do not live in Ingham County and would like the latest information on your county’s efforts, please click here.
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