Ryan Soucy, senior community and economic development planner for Central Upper Peninsula Planning and Development, takes part in an activity regarding factors affecting internet connectivity in the area on Wednesday during the MI Connected Future Listening Tour. (Journal photo by Christie Mastric)

MARQUETTE — Availability and affordability were the two biggest concerns expressed by participants during a Wednesday stop of the MI Connected Future Listening Tour at the Northern Center at Northern Michigan University.

The Michigan High Speed Internet Office is conducting tours in the state to collect input from residents on how best to prioritize an estimated $1.6 billion the state will receive in federal broadband funding to deliver high-speed internet to every person and institution throughout Michigan.

The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity indicated that the investment is made available through the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Program from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Allie Herkenroder, digital equity director for MIHI, located within the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, led the session that allowed participants to provide input in the development of the Michigan Five-Year Plan and the Michigan Digital Equity Plan.

“We recognize that we would not be able to be here today without the support of our federal partners,” said Herkenroder, who said MIHI has the support of Michigan’s U.S. Sens. Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Hills, and Debbie Stabenow, D-Lansing.

Daniel Hayes, federal program compliance manager with MIHI, said, “The biggest thing is that we’re here to listen.”

However, Hayes asked the participants why there were at the Wednesday tour stop.

“I want it in my township that promised it three years ago,” Jim Brennan of Republic Township said.

Jessica Robinson, digital inclusion program manager with MIHI, stressed there is a “digital divide” in Marquette County, with statistics from the 2020 census showing that 30% of residents making less than $20,000 a year are not connected to the internet.

“We know that the digital divide does discriminate by household income,” Robinson said.

Also, she noted that over 20% of residents over age 65 do not have internet access, and about 16 to 17% of people with less than a high school education or GED are not connected.

The audience then took part in an exercise in which it ranked four factors affecting internet connectedness: affordability, availability, access to devices and being tech savvy.

Availability and affordability were the top two ranking factors.

“I do see a lot of connectivity between availability and affordability in that we’re so rural and so spread out and so expensive to bring service to us, that that affects the availability of it,” Mitch Walker of Powell Township said.

Dale Throenle, planning and zoning administrator for Chocolay Township, said the township mainly is a “retirement age” community, with many residents choosing not to access the internet.

“Many of our residents, when we try to communicate to them through the internet, they say, ‘Definitely not. I don’t want anything to do with it,'” Throenle said.

The audience then divided into smaller discussion groups on those topics.

Opinions were expressed on a range of issues, including not having good telehealth connectivity; the importance of internet connectivity when it comes to education; and different parts of Marquette County having different needs.

For instance, it was mentioned that Powell Township School would require more connectivity compared with an area where retired residents live.

Other issues included the quick obsolescence of devices, youngsters knowing how to use apps but not a computer system, and getting people to participate in digital education.

Hayes indicated that once the five-year plan is developed, MIHI will return to the area for feedback from residents. Herkenroder suggested that governments can improve the planned connectivity by streamlining the permit processes for things such as rights-of-way.

She also pointed out that the federal government must provide access to underserved communities through its funding.

Eric Frederick, chief connectivity officer for MIHI, said in a news release, “We can’t achieve digital equity without listening to every community and every voice to better understand the needs and aspirations of our state. Investments of this scale start with a good plan, and that’s why this community tour is a critical step in our process.”

Christie Mastric can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net.