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Broadband provider seeks Barry County letter of support for USDA-funded Thornapple Township build
Summary
Bloomingdale Communications asked the county for a letter of support for a USDA-funded fiber-to-the-home build that would add about 300 additional locations to an existing 500-location project in Thornapple Township — roughly 800 unserved/underserved locations total; commissioners indicated support.
Steve Schultz, representing Bloomingdale Communications, told the board on March 18 that his company is applying to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for fiber-to-the-home broadband expansion in Thornapple Township and requested a county letter of support.
Schultz said Bloomingdale’s existing USDA application covers about 500 locations and the additional area his company seeks to add would include roughly 300 more locations, for a total of about 800 unserved or underserved homes and businesses around Middleville but outside the village. “This additional area is the area that we're looking at,” Schultz said, asking the county to provide a letter of support to accompany state and federal grant submissions.
He said Bloomingdale has worked with local economic development staff (Jennifer and Nicole) to assemble the application and letters of support from local town officials and that the company has significant local operating history in Van Buren and Allegan counties. Commissioners responded positively; Commissioner Bassett noted the project addresses long-standing gaps in Thornapple Township and encouraged a letter of support.
The request was made during limited public comment; the board did not take a formal roll-call vote to issue a county letter during the March 18 session but several commissioners expressed support and asked staff to ensure Schultz’s information is on file for follow-up.
