Peninsula Fiber Network outlines under‑lake fiber route through Jean Klock Park to connect Benton Harbor directly to Chicago

Peninsula Fiber Network representatives told the Benton Harbor City Commission that a federally funded middle‑mile fiber project would be routed under Lake Michigan from Jean Klock Park and bring a direct connection from Benton Harbor to Chicago.

Jennifer Greenberg, vice president of government affairs for Peninsula Fiber Network, said PFN received a $61,200,000 federal grant and that the full Route 1 project is estimated at $87,000,000, with PFN and partner 123Net providing a $26,000,000 private match. She said PFN has already received $27,000,000 in grant disbursements and that the route would total about 535 miles and pass 35,000 previously unserved locations.

"This is an open access network," Greenberg said. "Yes, we'll own and operate it, but other providers have access to it and can utilize the resources that it brings to the network." She added the line would improve redundancy for next‑generation 911 and create economic development opportunities by linking local…