According to the Development Corporation, people of Mecosta County may be soon seeing the installation of higher speed internet networks.

This notion is being made by a newly created Broadband Advisory Committee; a group made in partnership with Connected Michigan.

Goals for the committee include participating in focus groups to recognize needed projects, identifying resources needed to expand broadband services, reviewing expansion plans, and providing input for grant submissions and applications.

“The Advisory Committee will meet monthly from August-December 2022,” Executive Director Kelley Wawsczyk said via letter. “Once the first round of state broadband grant funding application is submitted, we anticipate the committee meeting quarterly to review implementation steps. We except committee members to spend 2-4 hours per month on committee related activities.”

The committee is inclusive of representation from the healthcare, large employer, government, and education sectors. This includes organizations like Spectrum Health, Ferris State University, Mecosta County Parks and Recreation, and the Mecosta-Osceola Intermediate School District (MOISD).

As the committee’s first meeting approaches on Tuesday, August 9 at 10 a.m., the Mecosta County Development Corporation is asking local organizations for participation on the Advisory Committee. According to Wawczyk, the first meeting will base the foundation moving forward.

“(We will) discuss what efforts have been in place from a state level, where we need to go, what barriers are in the way and what steps need to be taken to move forward. We need to, as a community, be seeking grant opportunities and know what is available and how it all works together to bridge the gap with broadband in Mecosta County.”

Over 100 invitation letters have been sent out since last week. If interested, contact Wawsczyk by July 29.