MiEnergy secures $14M grant for fiber project
Summary
Maps of the locations for this award can be seen by visiting www.rus-services.rd.usda.gov/s/public-searchable-database, selecting the program ReConnect, and searching for MiEnergy.The ReConnect Program is designed to fund the most difficult high-speed internet projects in the nation, which are the most rural, remote, and unserved communities.This is the second broadband award MiEnergy has received in recent months. A secondary, but equally important, part for MiEnergy members is how the award will bring fiber to the cooperatives substations. This fiber technology investment is necessary for ensuring reliable power for the future.Residents can expect speeds of 1 Gbps download and 1 Gbps upload on a fiber network, exceeding the states speed goals.MiEnergy is no stranger to providing solutions to meet the needs of its members when it comes to broadband. It formed MiBroadband with Mabel Cooperative and Spring Grove Communications in 2018 to help bring broadband to rural areas.Grants like these through ReConnect are what we need to provide this future-proof technology in low-density areas where it otherwise is not economically feasible, said Brian Krambeer, MiEnergy president/CEO.He noted how MiEnergy serves less than four members per mile of power line.Weve known the challenges of bringing utilities to rural areas. Fiber is no different, he said.MiEnergy was one of 24 projects receiving dollars in Round 5 of the ReConnect Program, which awarded a total of $313 million in grants and loans.