Broadband Office Name: Michigan High-Speed Internet Office (MIHI)
BEAD Award Amount: $1.56 B
Michigan Broadband Director: Eric Frederick
Michigan BEAD Program Tracker
| State | IP Vol 1 Approved | IP Vol 2 Approved | Challenge Process Submission Closed | Challenge Process Final Determination Phase Completed | 1-Year Subgrantee Selection Process |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | Yes | No | Yes | No | N/A |
Michigan BEAD Program Information
Key Updates
As of June 12, 2024, Michigan stated it had completed the initial review of over 1.76 million challenges submitted through the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program’s challenge submission phase.
The state said they expect to complete the final determinations from their Challenge Process by July 22, then submit the final list of eligible locations for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to review.
Once the final results of Michigan’s BEAD challenge process have been approved by NTIA, the results will be published.
Michigan BEAD Program Plans & Maps
Michigan BEAD Program Initial Proposal Volume 2: Overview
*Information is subject to change. Michigan is awaiting official approval of Initial Proposal Volume 2 from the NTIA.
BEAD Long-Term Objectives
As of 2023, close to 500,000 households are unserved/underserved, and another 730,000 face barriers. This means around 30% of Michigan does not have access to affordable/reliable broadband service.
The Michigan High-Speed Internet Office (MIHI) has established the following objectives:
- Expand high-speed broadband infrastructure to reach unserved/underserved locations.
- Increase digital skills.
- Promote affordable broadband service.
- Support equitable access to devices.
- Empower consumers with applications and online content.
Michigan BEAD Program Project Area Design
MIHI will use Hexbins with a diameter of three miles to divide the state. ISPs will have to serve every eligible BSL and CAI.
Michigan BEAD Program Extremely High Cost Threshold
The EHC will not be determined until after all applications have been received. They will use NTIA CostQuest’s cost model and the applications received to assess cost reasonableness.
BEAD Deployment Subgrantee Selection
MIHI is asking for the following preregistration evidence from subgrantees and compliance with: Financial capability, managerial capability, operational capability, technical capability, ownership info, public funding info, compliance with laws, cybersecurity/supply chain compliance, and BABA/EHP/NEPA/NHPA compliance.
Additional information asked from applicants:
- Total project area cost and deployment schedule
- Broadband technology of planned network
- Match funding percentage proposed for the project area
- Cost of service plans guaranteed to customers served by BEAD funded networks
- Evidence of local support and community engagement conducted per township/region
- Plans to conduct digital inclusion activities, if any.
- Planned utilization of MBE/WBE/SBE/GDBE firms on the project
- Plans to provide open access to last-mile broadband service providers for the life of the subsidized networks
- Enforceable commitments with respect to advancing equitable workforce development and job quality objectives.
Primary Criteria – 75%
- Minimal BEAD Outlay – 35%
- Affordability – 30%
- Fair Labor Practices – 10%
Secondary Criteria – 25%
- Speed to Deployment – 3%
- Digital Inclusion – 3%
- Local Support/Community Engagement – 7%
- Michigan Business – 5%
- MBE/WBE/GDBE – 3%
- Open Access – 2%
- Equitable Workforce Dev. – 2%
Other Last-Mile Projects:
Primary Criteria – 75%
- Minimal BEAD Outlay – 35%
- Affordability – 30%
- Fair Labor Practices – 10%
Secondary Criteria – 25%
- Speed to Deployment – 1%
- Speed of Network – 3%
- Digital Inclusion – 3%
- Local Support/Community Engagement – 5%
- Michigan Business – 4%
- MBE/WBE/GDBE – 3%
- Open Access – 3%
- Equitable Workforce Dev. – 3%
BEAD Non-Deployment Subgrantee Selection
MIHI anticipates a portion of its BEAD funding allocation will be utilized for non-deployment activities to promote the adoption of broadband and advancement of digital inclusion and other programmatic goals, as outlined in the BEAD NOFO.
MIHI anticipates to support the following categories: Programmatic Support Activities, Eligible Entity Non-Deployment Activities, and Competitive Digital Inclusion Grant Program.
MIHI will prioritize underrepresented communities.
BEAD Eligible Entity Implementation Activities
MIHI anticipates using a portion of the state’s BEAD allocation to support permitting and deployment coordination, compliance, validation, and award monitoring; technical assistance to communities and potential subgrantees; and other non-deployment planned activities as identified in the BEAD Five-Year Action Plan.
BEAD Local, Tribe, and Regional Broadband Planning Process
Community Listening Tour:
- Phase 1 consisted of 31 in-person stop across 10 regions, Phase 2 consisted of 10 stops to collect public comment.
- Opportunities through Flint & Wayne State Univ. and Community Meeting in a Box program.
- Totals: 43 in-person MIHI events, 949 Michiganders participated, 823 surveys collected, and 45 Meetings in a Box.
Partnership Roundtables:
- A series of virtual Partnership Roundtables were established and convened monthly starting in January 2023.
- The Partnership Roundtables met regularly throughout the development of the BEAD Five-Year Action Plan and will continue to meet through the development of the Initial Proposal, Final Proposal, and BEAD implementation.
Tribal Consultations:
- Invitations were sent to 13 Tribal nations for consultations, and 6 participated.
- MIHI plans to continue reaching out to the remaining that did not respond
- MIHI plans to hold additional roundtables with community associations, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), non-profit organizations, local and regional governments, and other critical stakeholders.
BEAD Labor Standards & Protection
MIHI requires all BEAD subgrantees to submit the following information:
A record of past compliance with federal/employment laws:
- Must address info on deployment projects within the last 3 years.
- Certification form from an Officer/Director level employee of past compliance.
- Written confirmation that subgrantee has disclosed any violations from contractors within the last 3 years.
- Discussion of workforce plan
Plans for ensuring compliance with federal/employment laws:
- How subgrantee will ensure compliance in its labor/employment practices.
- Info on applicable wage scales, wage, and overtime practices for each class of employee expected to be involved in physical construction of the network.
- How subgrantee will ensure implementation of workplace safety committees.
- Comply with the Prevailing Wages Act.
- Other items as outlined in the BEAD NOFO.
BEAD Minority Business Enterprises / Women’s Business Enterprises / Labor Surplus Area Firms Inclusion
MIHI plans to ensure awareness of opportunities for MBEs, WBEs, and LSFs include:
- Partnering with other state agencies to help structure procurement plan.
- Raising public awareness of state contracting opportunities through communications and advertisement on state contracting sites.
- Conduct public outreach to promote contract opportunities.
- Providing technical assistance to businesses and applicants about state procurement processes and requirements.
- Provide technical assistance to potential applicants.
- Utilize existing MBE, WBE, and LSF solicitation lists.
- Along with other necessary affirmitive steps.
Michigan plans to coordinate with the following programs/organizations: Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s (MEDC), Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council (MMSDC), Michigan Civil Rights Commission, and the Dep. of Technology Management and Budget (DTMB).
Michigan will request the following documents from subgrantees:
- A statement of commitment to following the six affirmative steps from the Officer/Director of the subgrantee’s organization.
- Evidence of planned or completed outreach efforts to MBEs, WBEs and LSF.
- Procurement and retention methods for MBEs, WBEs and LSF in the subgrantee’s workforce plan.
- Certification of MBE/WBE/SBE partners, if known, participating in the BEAD funding project.
BEAD Cost & Barrier Reduction
1. Promoting the use of existing infrastructure.
2. Promoting and adapting dig-once policies.
3. Streamlining permitting processes.
4. Streamlining cost-effective access to poles, conduits, and easements.
5. Streamlining rights of way, including the imposition of reasonable access requirements.
BEAD Low-Cost Broadband Service Option
Subgrantees are required to participate in ACP and Lifeline, along with the following:
- Informs prospective consumers of the existence benefit programs.
- Speeds of 100/20.
- Provides typical latency measurements of no more than 100 milliseconds.
- Is not subject to data caps, surcharges, or usage-based throttling.
- Free upgrade if provider later offers better service.
- Broadband consumer labels.
- Compliance with Michigan’s Consumer Protection Act and all other applicable state and federal laws.
BEAD Middle-Class Affordability Plans
In early 2023, the Michigan Association of United Ways released the latest ALICE Project report and associated data – identifies an ALICE income threshold by county across the state that recognizes households that may not be in poverty but struggle with basic essentials.
Michigan identified the ALICE income threshold for each county and then took the median income among the counties that comprise each of Michigan’s prosperity regions and subregions. Michigan poposed this plan be priced on a regional basis by utilizing pricing benchmarks.
Michigan defines a middle-class affordable service option that meets the following:
- Cost of broadband considers the regional average monthly affordability standard.
- Speeds of 100/20 Mbps.
- Provides typical latency measurements of no more than 100 milliseconds.
- Is not subject to data caps, surcharges, or usage based throttling.
- Upgrade available if provider later offers better service.
- Broadband consumer labels.
- Compliance with Michigan’s Consumer Protection Act and all other applicable state and federal laws.
