Access to, and use of, the internet has become an integral component of everyday life in the 21st century. Digital information has reshaped how individuals participate in nearly every dimension of society. It is imperative for communities to leverage broadband network access to eliminate the homework gap and for the benefit of education, telemedicine, public safety, workforce development, and to maintain general quality of life.
Private citizens like you are the backbone of the grassroots efforts needed to further broadband expansion throughout Michigan. Whether advocating with local policymakers, connecting with like-minded citizens or participating in regional broadband task forces, individual contributors are critical to furthering access for all.
Resources like Broadband Now can provide a list of providers in your area, if coverage is available.
The Michigan Moonshot Broadband Framework serves as a community network primer and the basis for planning a community’s roadmap. Contained within, you’ll find overviews on policy and technology, community success stories, links to myriad resources and planning tools from national broadband leaders and a phased plan for building a regional network.
Merit has created a series of educational webinars that provide deep-dives in community broadband topics, such as data and mapping, financial modeling, broadband technology and more. View past webinars and register to attend future events.
Complimentary Membership:
- Full access to the Michigan Moonshot Broadband Framework
- Michigan Moonshot Newsletter
- Resources Library access
- RFP Templates
- Budget templates
- Document appendix
- Legal frameworks
- Tools
- Evaluation matrixes
Consider contacting the below organizations to determine if local connectivity groups are active in your region.
- Township government (find the contact information for your township here)
- County government
- Local or intermediate school district
- State representative (find your representative using the State of Michigan search)
- Local library
If no local broadband initiative exists in your community, take the first steps toward building your team here.
For more information, call (734) 527-5785 or email [email protected]
INTERESTED IN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE MICHIGAN MOONSHOT?
The Michigan Moonshot is Merit’s commitment to ending the digital divide. The Michigan Moonshot aims to leverage public and private partnerships to connect everyone in rural Michigan, regardless of geography.
The Moonshot Team needs citizen scientists, like YOU to help us gather data about the internet in your community.