ROBIN Grant
Realizing Opportunity with Broadband Infrastructure Networks (ROBIN) is a last-mile and middle-mile broadband competitive grant program with $238M in project funds from the US Treasury Capital Project Fund (CPF). Midwest Energy & Communications (MEC) submitted a $56.4 million application for ROBIN funding to expand internet service in Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph, and Van Buren counties. The application included a $15.5 million investment from MEC and requested $27.6 million from the State. Berrien, Cass, Van Buren, and St. Joseph Counties, along with townships and villages in the proposed counties committed over $13 million. The ROBIN program will be administered by the state's Michigan High-Speed Internet Office (MIHI). Berrien County-MEC Press Release. View ROBIN Interactive Parcel Map.
ROBIN Grant Match requirement + Financial Commitment by Community:
Berrien County Board of Commissioners ROBIN Funding Resolution F2302154 $675 Per Parcel - $4.5M
BARODA Township ROBIN Grant Financial Commitment $197,944
CHIKAMING Township Support Letter + Financial Commitment Resolution $200K
GALIEN Township ROBIN Grant Financial Commitment Resolution $205 Per Parcel - $100K Max
HAGAR Township ROBIN Grant Financial Letter of Support $650 Per Parcel + Resolution $372K Max
LAKE Charter Township ROBIN Support Letters + Financial Commitment Resolution $162.5K Max
LINCOLN Charter Township ROBIN Support + Financial Match (25% Max) Resolution $200K Max
NEW BUFFALO Township ROBIN Grant Support + Financial Commitment Resolution $300K
NILES Charter Township ROBIN Grant Financial Commitment Resolution $73.4K
PIPESTONE Township ROBIN Grant Financial Commitment Resolution $200K
SODUS Township ROBIN Grant Support + Financial Commitment Resolution $5K Max
VILLAGE of GALIEN ROBIN Financial Support Resolution $87 Per Parcel Allocation - $28K Max
WEESAW Township ROBIN Financial Support Resolution $41.27 Per Parcel - $30K Max
Municipality - ROBIN Grant - Community SUPPORT Documentation:
BERRIEN Township ROBIN Grant Project Support Letter - Bryan Bixby - Township Supervisor
BERTRAND Charter Township ROBIN Grant Project Support Letter - Steve Hicks - Township Supervisor
BUCHANAN Charter Township ROBIN Support Letter - Malinda Cole-Crocker - Township Supervisor
WATERVLIET Charter Township ROBIN Grant Support Letter - Joe Stepich - Township Supervisor
Community ANCHOR INSTITUTIONS - ROBIN Grant Endorsement:
BERRIEN Regional EDUCATION Service AGENCY (RESA) - Equity-Accessibility-Affordability
BRIDGMAN Schools - Students/Families Reliable Connectivity-Equitable Opportunities-Accessibility
COREWELL Health (Lakeland Hospital) ROBIN Support - HEALTH EQUITY - President Dr. Loren Hamel
GALIEN Township FIRE Dept ROBIN Grant-Emergency Services Real-time Reporting-Reliable Connectivity
LAKE MICHIGAN COLLEGE (LMC) ROBIN Support - CRITICAL NEED - President Dr. Trevor Kubatzke
PALISADES POWER PLANT (Holtec International) ROBIN Grant Support - GLOBAL CONNECTIVITY
POKAGON BAND of POTAWATOMI Indians ROBIN Grant - Rural Connectivity-Limitless Opportunities
Economic Impact - ROBIN Grant:
BCBIT-Berrien County Broadband-Internet-TF-ROBIN Equity-Accessibility-Affordability-is Essential
Berrien County Farm Bureau ROBIN - Healthy, Successful, Innovative, Thriving Agricultural Economy
SW MI Regional CHAMBER of COMMERCE ROBIN Support for MEC - BRIDGING DIGITAL DIVIDE
Southwestern MI Association of Realtors (SWMAR) ROBIN Live, Work, & Play in Berrien County
Congressional Support - ROBIN GRANT:
Michigan State Senator ARIC NESBITT 20th District - State of Michigan Senate
Michigan State Senator JOHNATHON Lindsey 17th District - State of Michigan Senate
State Representative BRAD PAQUETTE 37th District - Michigan House of Representatives
State Representative JOEY ANDREWS 38th District - Michigan House of Representatives
State Representative PAULINE WENDZEL 39th District - Michigan House of Representatives
U.S. Congressman BILL HUIZENGA 4th District Michigan U.S. Congress-House of Representatives
U.S. Congressman TIM WALBERG 5th District Michigan U.S. Congress-House of Representatives