The Calhoun County Broadband Task Force will pursue the provision of internet services to all residents and businesses at a reasonable cost, recognizing that high speed internet promotes economic development, quality of life, housing development, village/city infrastructure and access to healthcare and education. The Task Force is made up of various sectors and stakeholders and will first collect data about access before tackling feasibility and then implementation.
County Commissioner Tommy Miller
County Commissioner Monique French
Angela Myers, Battle Creek Community Foundation
Kathy Szenda-Wilson, BC Pulse
Lee Adams, Southcentral Michigan Planning Commission
Marc Newman, Albion College
Sonja Elder, Grace Health
Dr. Paul Watson, Kellogg Community College
Lorie Upright, Calhoun County Intermediate School District
Paulette Porter, CareWell Services |
Barry Skutt Jr., Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Tribe
Art Kale, Village of Homer
Jeff Albaugh, Marshall Township
Mike Nofs, City of Battle Creek
Derek Perry, City of Marshall
Haley Snyder, City of Albion
Robert Stahelin, Calhoun Count Consolidated Dispatch Authority
Jim Haadsma, State Representative, 44th District
Paul Egnatuk, Staff of State Representative Jim Haadsma
Angela Semifero, Marshall District Library |
Staff SupportKelli Scott, Calhoun County Administrator/Controller
Lucy Blair, Calhoun County Communications Director
Lynn Meikle, Calhoun County Communications Coordinator
Four strategic areas for the Calhoun County Broadband Task Force: Access
Adoption
Affordability
Literacy
Questions about this initiative can also be sent to
information@calhouncountymi.gov.
The Calhoun County Broadband Task Force meetings will take place quarterly on the following dates at 3 p.m., in-person at the Marshall County Building, Garden Level Conference Room, 2315 W Green St, Marshall, and virtually via Zoom webinar.
July 9, 2024 3:00 PM | Agenda | Minutes | Video
October 8, 2024 3:00 PM | Agenda | Minutes | Video
2023
Jan 10, 2023 3:00 PM | Agenda | Minutes | Video
Feb 14, 2023 3:00 PM | Agenda | Minutes | Video
Mar 14, 2023 3:00 PM | Agenda | Minutes | Video
Apr 11, 2023 3:00 PM | Agenda | Minutes | Video
May 9, 2023 3:00 PM - cancelled
Jun 13, 2023 3:00 PM | Agenda | Minutes | Video
July 11, 2023 3:00 PM | Agenda | Minutes | Video
Aug 8, 2023 3:00 PM - cancelled
Sep 12, 2023 3:00 PM - postponed to Sep 19, 2023 3:00 PM | Agenda | Minutes | Video
Oct 10, 2023 3:00 PM | Agenda | Minutes | Video
Nov 14, 2023 3:00 PM - cancelled
Dec 12, 2023 3:00 PM - cancelled
Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89466486151
Passcode: 911816
The Digital Equity Subcommittee of the Broadband Task Force was formed in 2023 to explore digital literacy in Calhoun County. In 2023 the subcommittee increased awareness about the Affordable Connectivity Program and gathered data about current resources for digital literacy in our community. The Subcommittee sent a digital resources survey to numerous community partners, and the results were compiled into a digital resources website for public use.
2024 Goals
- Explore digital literacy hub models locally and nationally to understand what’s working in other locations
- Identify other agencies in Calhoun County that might like to participate in digital equity efforts (such as digital literacy hubs) but don’t for any reason
- Develop talking points for community partners about the importance of this work to assist with advocating for public support
- Identify possible funding sources, locally, state-wide, or federally, that can assist with developing digital literacy solutions in Calhoun County
- Educate the community about digital literacy resources that are already in Calhoun County
On February 8, 2024, applications and enrollments for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) will no longer be accepted. The enrollment freeze is a part of the steps for ACP Wind-Down outlined in thereleased on January 11. The Order announced the procedures for the wind-down of ACP due to a lack of additional funding from Congress. Funding for the program is anticipated to run through April 2024. For more information on the Order’s requirements for service providers, please refer to the Providers are encouraged to review the following bulletin and the FCC’s Order carefully for detailed information on notice requirements to households, updates on claims deadlines, and other wind-down procedures and requirements. If the program receives additional funding, USAC and the FCC will provide further information later.
The Calhoun County Broadband Task Force joins organizations nationwide in promoting the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The goal is to increase enrollment in the federal program, which reduces internet bills by $30/month and provides a $100 credit for devices for eligible households.
In a Calhoun County broadband report released earlier this year, it was identified that 34 percent of households, approximately 18,000, are eligible for the benefit but only 27 percent of those are enrolled, just over 5,000. Since then as of June 2023, ACP enrollment in Calhoun has reached 11,285 households enrolled! Help us spread the word to increase enrollment in the Affordable Connectivity Program! Click here for a press release sent June 14 with information about applying, especially for those without access to a computer.
How to apply: (NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME)
If you don't know where to get started, getacp.org/Michigan can take you step by step through the process. GetACP.org is a virtual mobile assistant that simplifies the ACP enrollment process and provides access to real-time support. It helps households:
- Check their eligibility.
- Determine the easiest way to qualify.
- Identify the documents needed when applying.
- Find “free with ACP” broadband plans available at their address.
Or apply directly at on the
federal website.
Community Organization Resources:
If you are an organization, especially one that works with eligible populations, and want to participate in promoting ACP, there are many resources available. State resources for GetACP.org/Michigan can be found here, Website graphic | Postcard | Social Graphic. The federal program website has promotional materials here.
With your help, we can meet our goal of connecting more Calhoun residents with reliable, high-speed internet.
CTC Broadband Report
The Calhoun County Broadband Task Force released a broadband report by consultant CTC Technology and Energy in early 2023. It outlined possible options for improving connectivity in Calhoun County and increasing the number and success of residents who use the internet. It offered three solutions for expanding fiber-to-the-premise solutions countywide, including a countywide network (which was outside of the County’s potential at $350M) and the cost of expanding just to unserved and underserved households, which can be covered by two upcoming grant processes— Realizing Opportunity with Broadband Infrastructure Networks (ROBIN) Grant and Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Grant.
Read the report
Countywide Broadband Merit Survey
With the assistance of the Michigan Moonshot Initiative and Merit, we conducted a countywide survey in 2021 asking residents about their experience with and access to broadband internet. Those results were presented to the Broadband Task Force in late February.
Survey Results and Findings
Data Findings - Presentation
Executive Findings Report
County Summary
This survey was paid for by community partners and not taxpayer dollars. Thank you to community partners who saw the need and helped to make this possible:
- Albion College
- Kellogg Community College
- CareWell Services
- Calhoun County Intermediate School District
- Battle Creek Unlimited
- Battle Creek Community Foundation
- Public Health Department - CARES Funding
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