Michigan governor announces broadband Internet for entire state

Aug. 19 (UPI) -- Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder has announced a plan to bring broadband Internet to every residence and business throughout his state.

The state will coordinate with Connect Michigan, a subsidiary of the nonprofit Connected Nation, to implement the plan to connect nearly 40,000 households that don't have high-speed Internet.

The plan calls for Internet at a speed of 1 gigabit per second to all homes and businesses by 2026.

"As technology continues to rapidly change and evolve, having access to fast, reliable internet is now a necessity for everyday life," Snyder said in a statement. "There are many regions of Michigan where internet is inaccessible or ineffective, and this plan works to make broadband internet available to Michigan residents in every corner of the state."

The cost of the effort was not unveiled in a state press release, but a 109-page report says the state will utilize grants from several federal agencies, including the Federal Communications Commission, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the White House's $1.5 trillion infrastructure plan.

In a news release, officials said connecting the entire state could create $2.5 billion in economic opportunities.