24 March 2025 |

BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN – Southern Michigan is on the path to greater connectivity, with three companies—Frontier Communications, DMCI, and Surf Internet—applying for funding from the $245 million Michigan Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program. The initiative aims to bring high-speed fiber internet to unserved areas, ensuring more residents and businesses can access reliable online services.

County Commissioners Back Expansion Efforts

Branch County commissioners have expressed their support for the three applications. Each company has outlined plans to extend fiber infrastructure across various parts of the county, filling in gaps left by previous programs.

Surf Internet

Surf Internet

Surf Internet, a Midwest fiber-to-home provider serving 140,000 customers in Indiana, Michigan, and Illinois, is also vying for a share of the BEAD funds. Their proposal includes expanding fiber service from St. Joseph and Calhoun counties into Branch County, particularly in Sherwood, Union, and Matteson townships.

Steve Carender, Surf’s Business Development Director, shared that the project aims to connect 1,100 addresses, including 451 homes identified as BEAD-eligible. Among the beneficiaries is County Commissioner Tim Stoll, highlighting the direct impact of the expansion on local residents.

Frontier Communications

Frontier Communications

Frontier Communications, which began installing fiber optic cable along Marshall Road on March 10, will use the BEAD grant to expand coverage in the Branch County cities of Sherwood, Butler, and Quincy. This effort follows their previous success in securing a $22.3 million federal Realizing Opportunity with Broadband Infrastructure Networks (ROBIN) grant, supplemented by a $1 million contribution from Branch County’s American Rescue Plan Act funds.

Frontier’s goal is to serve 4,690 locations in the county, backed by an additional $14.5 million company investment. However, delays related to permitting issues in Coldwater have slowed progress, with the company working through legal updates to continue development. Despite initial hesitation, county commissioners ultimately voted to endorse Frontier’s BEAD grant application.

DMCI Broadband

DMCI Broadband

DMCI Broadband, a Michigan-based provider, is transitioning from wireless to fiber and has already laid 140 miles of fiber optic cable across Branch and Hillsdale counties. The company currently serves about 2,600 residents and plans to construct an additional 9 miles in Branch County by April, targeting 83 new locations.

Company owner Dave Cleveland emphasized that the BEAD grant is essential for funding future projects. DMCI plans a major investment of $3 million for a 62-mile expansion and an additional $1.1 million for a 23-mile project in Butler Township, bringing the total project cost close to $25 million. Their service model includes high-speed gigabit internet for $67 per month and an affordable 100 Mbps option at $28 per month for qualifying low-income households.

What’s Ahead for Michigan Broadband Expansion

The deadline for Michigan BEAD grant applications is March 31, with awarded projects expected to be completed within four years. As these three companies compete for funding, Branch County residents stand to gain significantly from improved access to high-speed internet, boosting education, business opportunities, and overall quality of life.

More Information about BEAD

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Tags: BEAD, BEAD Funds, BEAD program, Broadband Equity Access & Deployment (BEAD) Program, broadband expansion, Fiber Internet, Internet for All, ISPs, Rural Internet,

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