With the help of Berrien County and the Benton Township Board of Trustees, approximately 200 properties in Benton Township that currently do not have access to broadband internet will soon be able to do so.
At a meeting last week, the town approved a contract with Midwest Energy and Communications to install broadband to homes without service. Township Auditor Ben Brewer tells us Berrien County has allocated approximately $145,000 in federal funds that the township will match so that unserved residents can receive broadband service from MEC.
“Technically the county will hire them, but the town is entering into an agreement to make sure Midwest Energy knows the town is providing this service to residents,” Brewer said.
The fee is $100 per resident who chooses to register, and $675 per property for townships and counties.
Town Supervisor Kathy Yates tells us she’s happy to help.
“I’m really excited about this because it allows those people who have been calling and asking me to help them get online, now it’s happening for us,” Yates said.
Affected properties are primarily in rural areas. Berrien County has previously used state ROBIN grants to help MEC expand broadband in unserved areas, but those projects were not covered by those projects.
Brewer said any residents with questions should call the town.