ANN ARBOR, Mich. – During the Merit Member Conference, Merit Network will commemorate the important REACH-3MC broadband infrastructure project in Michigan. The lunch will feature several dignitaries, who will discuss the impact of the project.
Who:
Jean Rice, Senior Communications Program Specialist, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)
Laura Spining, Director of the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) Infrastructure Projects, NTIA
Barbara McCallahan, South East Michigan Regional Manager and Director of Community Affairs, Office of U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow
David Behen, CIO for State of Michigan and Director of Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget (DTMB)
Eric Swanson, Deputy Director of Michigan DTMB
Beatrice Bender, Tribal Planner, Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
Walt Milligan, CIO for Michigan Technological University
Dr. Donald Welch, CISO for the University of Michigan and Former President of Merit Network, Inc.
What:
The REACH-3MC Project Completion Celebratory Lunch will feature several dignitaries from state and federal government, as well as representatives from Michigan Technological University and the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. Speakers will provide their reflections on the importance and impact of the REACH-3MC project.
The Rural, Education, Anchor, Community and Health care-Michigan Middle Mile Collaborative (REACH-3MC) project was initiated by Merit Network to expand broadband infrastructure in Michigan. In 2010, Merit received two federal grants that were funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009.
Merit and its project participants built 2,287 miles of fiber-optic infrastructure in Michigan, providing vital middle-mile broadband infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas of Michigan. Merit connected 141 community anchor institutions, which includes local government, public safety, schools, libraries and health care organizations. 70 additional organizations were connected to the broadband network by constructing last-mile fiber to the network, with each connection transmitting data at a minimum of 1 gigabit-per-second (Gbps).
The REACH-3MC network is an open-access network and will provide vital Internet and network connectivity to users in Michigan for years to come.
Where:
Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest
1275 S Huron Street
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
When:
Wednesday, May 13, 2015 from 12:05-1:45 p.m.