From: Chris Greene Hutchings <meritnetwork@merit.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, April 17, 2024 9:32 AM
To: Sheryl Cormicle Knox <knoxs@cadl.org>
Subject: BEAD Challenge for Anchor Institutions

 

BEAD Challenge for Anchor Institutions

merit_network1

 

Dear Merit Member,

 

Are you hoping that the coming $1.59 billion in BEAD grants will finally bring high-speed internet to your organization’s location(s)?

 

Locations not correctly identified on Michigan’s Broadband Equity, Access & Deployment map could be left behind by this once-in-a-lifetime funding program. It only takes a few minutes to check Michigan’s BEAD map to ensure your location(s) are accurately represented.

 

Merit’s ongoing mapping work group has identified several data discrepancies regarding how anchor institutions are represented on the BEAD map. As part of our partnership to help the state of Michigan correct the map, we encourage all anchors to check the BEAD map as soon as possible. We’ve been informed that the challenge window has been extended to April 30, 2024 so we have less than two weeks to affect your location’s eligibility for these grant funds. 

 

Earlier this month, Merit was joined by representatives from MIHI and NTIA for a live walk through of the process to check community anchor institutions on Michigan’s BEAD map. We also addressed the top three concerns of CAIs, including:

- What if my organization isn’t on the map?

- How do I flag my location(s) as an anchor institution?

- Does MIHI know I cannot access symmetrical gig internet service (1000 Mbps) at this location today?

 

Merit strongly encourages all community anchor institutions in Michigan to:

1) Watch the on-demand webinar linked here. 

2) Share this message with other schools, libraries and anchors in your community.

3) Drop in to our Office Hours to create a two-step plan to get all of your locations corrected on the BEAD map. We meet every Friday from 10:00 until noon. Email Moonshot@merit.edu to receive a calendar invitation.

 

Questions about the BEAD challenge? Email Challenge@Merit.edu for support.

Thank you,

 

Chris Greene Hutchings

Michigan Moonshot Project Manager

Merit Network, Inc.

 

 

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Merit Network, Inc., 880 Technology Drive, Ste B, Ann Arbor, MI 48108

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