WEST OLIVE, Mich. -- The Ottawa County Board of Commissioners has voted to approve some public-private partnerships that will boost internet access for nearly 10,000 businesses and residents.
The county says in a news release that the board voted today to finalize public-private partnerships with 123Net and Tilson Technology.
Here is a portion of that news release:
This collaborative undertaking was originally activated in March of this year when the Board signed a letter of intent with 123NET to pursue grant funds for needed broadband expansion throughout the county. Tuesday's vote on actual service delivery contracts allows 123NET to accept an award of nearly $14M in Realizing Opportunities with Broadband Infrastructure Networks (ROBIN) grant funding, which was prioritized for Ottawa County by the State of Michigan when the second round of funding was announced earlier this fall.
"Broadband infrastructure is important for supporting agriculture, business, and education across Ottawa County. This open access expansion increases competition countywide and connects rural areas. This deal leverages ARPA funds into a long-term solution to make Ottawa County a great place to work and raise a family," said Joe Moss, Chair of the Board of Commissioners.
In conjunction with $7.5 million in funding from Ottawa County's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and $3.5 million in 123NET's private capital, the upcoming project will allow the construction of nearly 400 miles of new fiber in the county, further providing internet access to nearly 10,000 residents and businesses. The partnership with Tilson allows the company to start assessing opportunities for enhanced fixed-wireless coverage countywide and ultimately to construct new towers in critical locations which will be supported with new fiber infrastructure deployed by 123Net. Both partnership agreements include provisions for revenue share direct to Ottawa County. The expansion of reliable, high-speed internet to all county residents is an important step in ensuring unfettered access to educational resources, health programs, and community opportunities.
Project background
The Ottawa County Department of Strategic Impact (DSI) created the Countywide Broadband Strategy over many years to effectively address unacceptable gaps in reliable, affordable high-speed internet access across the County. Readily available, high-speed internet is a crucial aspect to modern life with local leadership recognizing that access for residents was key to the County’s future.
The process to address known internet access issues began with DSI collaborating with the Ottawa Area Intermediate School District and Urban Wireless Solutions, in early 2020 to help support the project’s planning, including conducting a comprehensive Broadband Data Collection Survey in 2021 facilitated by Merit Network Inc. The robust survey process resulted in data that helped to confirm gaps in broadband access reported by households across the County, with 10.5% having no access to internet at all and thousands with access less then acceptable speeds to adequately function in today's digital age.
In early 2023, the county issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) and subsequently accepted a project proposal from 123NET, a premier fiber internet, colocation, and voice services provider, to expand the fiber network and ensure more residents and businesses are served. The installed network will be both open access and carrier-neutral, meaning other network providers can access it to sell their services and residents and businesses can choose their preferred internet provider. The wired infrastructure will include both middle mile infrastructure and Fiber to the Home (FTTH). 123NET will also develop facilities for a data center, retail operations, warehousing, and offices in the County.
"We are eager to accept the ROBIN grant award and begin building the network to make Ottawa County one of the best connected in the state," said Dan Irvin, 123NET Founder and CEO. "Bringing world class, open access fiber internet to Ottawa County residents will offer benefits to the community for years to come."
Going even further than just wired infrastructure, Ottawa County also issued an RFP for the construction of fixed wireless internet towers. Tilson Technology was selected for this partnership to bring improved access to fixed wireless broadband solutions for those who are in such exceptionally challenging rural areas that they will not receive service from the fiber network. Ultimately, the initiative aims to give all residents access to fixed wireless or fiber service, and many households will be able to select the option that best serves their individual needs. Similarly, to the 123NET partnership, the towers installed by Tilson Technology will be made available to telecommunications service providers, allowing for competitive services and low prices for our community.
"Our partnership with Ottawa County will provide the requisite infrastructure for mobile network operators to offer fixed wireless services and better cellular coverage for the most rural and disconnected residents," said Henry Gent, Project Manager for Tilson Technology. "The County was thoughtful in making sure that residents would have access to both fiber and wireless opportunities."
"Honestly, I'm incredibly proud of the years of work, collaboration, and support that has been required to move this critical infrastructure project forward. This infrastructure will give our residents, business owners, farmers, students and others the access needed to continue to lead Michigan’s growth and development in the modern digital age," said Paul Sachs, Director of the Ottawa County Department of Strategic Impact. The local and regional economies, educational access, utilization of mental and physical health resources, the workforce, and community strength all benefit from connection to the internet.
Construction to this expanded network is projected to start in 2024. More details about this project, and the Broadband Strategy as a whole, can be found and will be updated online.