Sec. 5.
(1) An award of funds must be issued by a competitive grant process. The grant process must be technology neutral, and result in awards to applicants proposing projects based on objective and efficient procedures. The criteria for determining the award of funds must include the following:
(a) The applicant's experience and financial wherewithal.
(b) The readiness to build, operate, and maintain the project.
(c) The long-term viability of the project.
(d) The scalability of the network.
(e) The applicant's ability to leverage broadband for community and economic development.
(f) The applicant's ability to provide discounted broadband service throughout the unserved area to low-income households.
(2) Priority must be given to projects that demonstrate collaboration to achieve community investment and economic development goals of the area impacted, and that are able to demonstrate that they have the managerial, financial, and technical ability to build, operate, and manage a broadband network.
History: 2020, Act 224, Imd. Eff. Oct. 16, 2020
Structure Michigan Compiled Laws
Chapter 484 - Telephone, Telegraph, and Radio
Act 224 of 2020 - Broadband Expansion Act of Michigan (484.3251 - 484.3261)
Section 484.3251 - Short Title.
Section 484.3252 - Definitions.
Section 484.3253 - Statewide Broadband Service Grant Program; Appropriation.
Section 484.3255 - Competitive Grant Process; Criteria; Priorities.
Section 484.3256 - Competitive Scoring Criteria; Establish and Publish on Website.
Section 484.3259 - Notice of Grant Award Recipients.
Section 484.3260 - Semiannual Report.
Section 484.3261 - Falsification of Statement; Ineligible for Grant.