LinkMichigan is a statewide telecommunications planning effort led by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) in conjunction with the Michigan Broadband Development Authority (MBDA). The primary objective of LinkMichigan is to assist communities in developing strategies for improving Michigan's access to high-speed Internet access (i.e., broadband) and other advance telecommunications services for the benefit of all communities throughout the State including business, government, education, health care, families and individuals. To achieve this effort, MEDC provided grants to counties for the development of telecommunication infrastructure plans. MEDC also encouraged the creation of regions consisting of counties to carry out projects so plans attain a broader perspective. Allegan, Kalamazoo and St. Joseph Counties formed the Allegan, St. Joseph, and Kalamazoo or ASK Region.

A Steering Committee was formed consisting of funding partners who provided a local match for the grant and other resource personnel. Representatives on the Committee included Allegan County, Allegan Intermediate School District, St. Joseph County Economic Development Corporation, RGB Network Services, Pfizer Corporation, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo Valley Community College (KVCC), City of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Regional Education Services Agency (KRESA), BlueGranite, and Kalamazoo County. Virchow Krause & Company and Broadband Development 3 (BD3) were hired to carry out the planning effort.

A complete copy of the report is provided here.

While there are numerous recommendations and options outlined in the plan, the Steering Committee will be focusing on two key areas for the next steps of the LinkMichigan planning effort:

1. An effort will be made by the three counties to improve connectivity between government, educational institutions and other public/non-profit groups. This effort may involve reaching to adjoining counties to develop a broader regional approach. Improvements will be small steps and will be achieved mainly through consistent communication and cooperative projects between governmental and educational institutions.
   
   
2. An effort will be made to bridge economic development agencies and providers together and elevate the importance of high-speed Internet in economic development promotions. The idea here is to have business serving business. Instead of government trying to encourage providers to improve services, chambers and economic development groups will provide that encouragement through better promotion in the attraction and retention of businesses.

Through these two efforts, it is anticipated the public will ultimately benefit and have improved access to high-speed Internet.

ASK LinkMichigan Connectivity Plan
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ASK LinkMichigan Connectivity Plan - Main Report

Exhibits

I. Survey Results
I.1.a. Business Survey Results - Allegan County
I.1. b. Residential Survey Results - Allegan County
I.1.c. Customer Value Management - Allegan County
I.2.a. Business Survey Results - St. Joseph County
I.2.b. Residential Survey Results - St. Joseph County
I.2.c. Customer Value Management - St. Joseph County
I.3.a. Business Survey Results - Kalamazoo County
I.3.b. Residential Survey Results - Kalamazoo County
I.3.c. Customer Value Management - Kalamazoo County

II. Technology Trends

III.1. ASK Counties Cable TV Franchise Area Map
III.1.a. Allegan County
III.1.b. St. Joseph County
III.1.c. Kalamazoo County

III.2. ASK Counties Connectivity Infrastructure Map
III.2.a. Allegan County
III.2.b. St. Joseph County
III.2.c. Kalamazoo County

IV. ASK Counties Free Internet Sites Map
IV.a. Allegan County
IV.b. St. Joseph County
IV.c. Kalamazoo County

V. Linking Beneficial Public Site Map
V.a. Allegan County
V.b. St. Joseph County
V.c. Kalamazoo County

VI. Funding Sources

VII. Carrier and Provider Report

VIII. Glossary

Appendix

LinkMichigan Aggregate Data
1.a. Aggregate Business Cross Tabs
1.b. Aggregate Business Histograms
1.c. Aggregate Customer Value Management
1.d. Aggregate Focus Group Summary
1.e. Aggregate Residential Cross Tabs
1.f. Aggregate Residential Histograms

ASK Aggregate Data
1.a. ASK Aggregate Business Cross Tabs
1.b. ASK Aggregate Business Histograms
1.c. ASK Aggregate Customer Value Management
1.d. ASK Aggregate Residential Cross Tabs
1.e. ASK Aggregate Residential Histograms