SAULT STE. MARIE, MI— The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians is getting nearly $25 million to provide high-speed internet to rural areas.
The money comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s ReConnect program. It will be used to deploy a fiber-to-the-premises network to connect 1,217 people and 26 businesses to high-speed internet in Chippewa and Mackinac counties.
The tribe will make high-speed internet affordable by requiring its service provider to participate in the FCC's Affordable Connectivity Program. The program provides low-income consumers with discounts on high-speed internet services.
The project will serve Sault Ste. Marie Off-Reservation Trust Land, the Sault Sainte Marie Reservation, and socially vulnerable communities in Chippewa and Mackinac counties.
