Coalition of northern counties works to upgrade Internet access

CADILLAC - The information superhighway is at most people's fingertips with a few keystrokes, but is northern Michigan chugging along in the right lane while those downstate pass on the left?

The answer is yes if you ask any one of the 13 counties participating in the Heart of Michigan Planning Group's study into broadband Internet connections in northern Michigan. HMPG banded the 13 counties through a study that investigated the benefits of high speed Internet connections in the counties, which include Missaukee, Osceola and Wexford.

The findings of that study as well as recommendations for future development will be presented at a meeting Tuesday morning at the Wexford-Missakukee Intermediate School District.

Several southern counties in Michigan have access to high speed Internet connections, but the technology has yet to creep north. HMPG hopes that by creating the high speed infrastructure northern Michigan can become as technologically competitive as southern Michigan and lure more jobs.

Governor Jennifer Granholm's speech in Cadillac last Wednesday cited this as one of her goals.

Cadillac Assistant City Manager Precia Garland said any industry in Cadillac that deals with the Big Three auto makers needs high-speed Internet to be competitive.

"They are required to communicate with the big three via Internet. If there is not the capability to (download a project) you can't bid on that project," she said.

Garland said most Cadillac companies have broadband Internet through wireless systems, but the rates are higher. The HMPG hopes to bring broadband Internet to everyone, in the business and private sector, and do it more cheaply by banding together as a consortium.

High speed Internet exists in pockets throughout the 13 counties and Garland said the challenge will be getting broadband into rural areas. She said laying the fiber optic cables and placing infrastructure hubs will be similar to constructing county roads - bringing a whole new meaning to the term information superhighway.

Laying these virtual roads will not be easy or cheap. The HMPG suggests counties tackle the cost through the formation of non-profit community groups that can attract funding.

President of Firstbank Cadillac John Buckley plans to attend the meeting Tuesday. His interest in the project is not so much for his own business, but for Cadillac as a whole. Being a member of downtown and industrial organizations, Buckley sees broadband connections as a way to make Cadillac more attractive to retailers and industry.

He said the timing of Tuesday's meeting could not be better.

"Especially coming on the heels of the governor's visit, it's time to strike while the iron's hot," he said.n