This week, Vice President Kamala Harris announced that more than 10 million households are enrolled in the Affordable Connectivity Program, the nation’s largest ever broadband affordability program. The $14.2 billion that’s funding this program comes directly from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which lowers costs for Michiganders and expands access to high-speed internet. This builds upon the additional $100 million from the infrastructure law that will upgrade and expand Michigan’s broadband infrastructure so the Great lakes State can be more connected than ever.
“Internet access is a necessity. While the Michigan Republicans who voted against the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law don’t believe that, Michigan Democrats are ensuring that families are getting plugged in,” said Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes. “This historic investment by the Biden-Harris administration, coupled with the unprecedented resources provided by Governor Whitmer targeting the communities who need it most, will help close the digital divide for the tens of thousands of Michiganders who currently lack adequate access to affordable, high-speed internet.”
The federal dollars from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the White House’s Affordable Connectivity Program will create jobs for the folks who lay the groundwork for fiber optic power lines and level the playing field by prioritizing homes and businesses that can’t afford to get a signal at all. And thanks to Governor Whitmer’s Connecting Michigan Taskforce and High-Speed Internet Office, this historic federal funding is quickly and efficiently going to the communities with the greatest need.
Read here how the Biden-Harris administration and Gov. Whitmer have worked together to expand access to high-speed internet across the state:
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“It is incredibly important to address these inequities with broadband expansion because access to high-speed internet is no longer a luxury; it is an essential utility,” Sachs said. “And we have most certainly learned that through the course of the last few years and as we proceed into the future with medical care and school and the way we do business and remote work, that type of infrastructure in place for our residents is absolutely critical.’”
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“‘There’s been a lot thrown around about the infrastructure act and that it’s a once-in-a-generation investment, but I truly think it is,’ said Frederick, noting that the money in that legislation is 10 times the amount included in the 2009 stimulus package passed in the wake of the Great Recession.
‘And I honestly believe that we have an opportunity to close the digital divide in the state — or at least getting very, very, very close to closing it — over the next 10 years,’ Frederick added. ‘But it has to be done efficiently and effectively and transparently in order to be able to truly use these resources to close that gap.’”
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“‘Reliable, affordable high-speed internet is increasingly important for work, school, and daily life,’ Whitmer said in a statement. ‘The FCC has set up vital programs to help millions of Americans get connected and lower costs.’
