June 27, 2011
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Merit Network, Inc. is pleased to announce today the selection of Earthcom, Inc. as fiber construction contractor for Merit’s Round 1 REACH-3MC broadband stimulus project. Earthcom, a full service general contractor based in Lansing that specializes in communication infrastructure development and maintenance, is one of seven Michigan-based companies that will participate in the project as construction vendors.
As part of the Round 1 REACH-3MC project, Merit will construct 1,017 miles of open-access, advanced fiber-optic infrastructure through rural and underserved communities in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.
Earthcom was selected from a number of qualified vendors that responded to a Request for Proposals (RFP) Merit issued in August 2010. They will perform aerial and underground construction, install conduit and blow fiber through various segments of the network build.
Earthcom was selected to perform limited amounts of underground construction for REACH-3MC in December 2010. The announcement today means that they will continue to perform work on the project.
“Merit is proud to announce that Earthcom will join us on this project that will make a tremendous difference in Michigan,” said Merit President and CEO, Don Welch. “The benefits of REACH-3MC to education and economic development will be profound and long-lasting.”
“This is a powerful example of Michigan companies working together to benefit communities throughout Michigan,” said Merit’s Vice President of Network Operations and Engineering, Bob Stovall. “I am very excited to work with Earthcom as we set out to create better resources for our state, and in the process, create jobs that will benefit the local economy.”
“It is such an honor to be part of a project that not only will bring new age technology to the rural communities of Michigan, but be a small part in the continuing recovery of this great state,” said Earthcom President and CEO, Peter Bertsch. “This project will pay dividends for the State of Michigan and its citizens long after it is completed.”
The REACH-3MC fiber will improve education and quality of life in the service areas by connecting community anchor institutions to Merit’s high-performance network. The participation of commercial sub-recipients, who will own strands at various intervals in the network, will improve service to homes and businesses. And because the infrastructure is open-access, it will support local ISPs with new, affordable backhaul options.
REACH-3MC infrastructure will take the form of what is commonly referred to as a “condo build” in the telecommunications industry. Merit Network, having planned the network and applied for and received a grant, will be the owner of record for the fiber sheath and will be responsible for construction and maintenance. Within the fiber sheath, both Merit and commercial sub-recipients will own strands of fiber, creating separate networks within the same sheath.
Merit Network helps fund REACH-3MC with a grant they received from the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). BTOP is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), otherwise known as the Stimulus Package.
About Merit Network
Merit Network Inc., is a nonprofit corporation owned and governed by Michigan’s public universities. Merit owns and operates America’s longest-running regional research and education network. In 1966, Michigan’s public universities created Merit as a shared resource to help meet their common need for networking assistance. Since its formation, Merit Network has remained at the forefront of research and education networking expertise and services. Merit provides high-performance networking and IT solutions to Michigan’s public universities, colleges, K-12 organizations, libraries, state government, healthcare, and other non-profit organizations.
For more information: www.merit.edu
About REACH-3MC
The REACH Michigan Middle Mile Collaborative (REACH-3MC) will build 2,287 miles of open-access, advanced fiber-optic network through rural and underserved communities in Michigan’s Lower and Upper Peninsulas. The network will also provide backhaul to key connection points in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Led by Merit Network, Michigan’s research and education network, REACH-3MC includes sub-recipients from the private sector to make broadband readily available to households and businesses that lack adequate service options in the 52 counties that make up the project service area. REACH-3MC is funded by a two grants (Round I and Round II) from the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), commonly referenced as the Stimulus Package.
About Earthcom
Earthcom, Inc. is a Lansing, Michigan based corporation with roughly 50 employees. Started in 1999, the company specializes in communication construction including outside plant and wireless applications.
For more information visit: www.earthcom.us
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