Calhoun County digital equity subcommittee expands device distribution and training plans
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Summary
The task force’s digital equity subcommittee reported ongoing work to place devices and offer training where full broadband is not yet available, including partnerships with Human I.T., TechSoup, Albion College AmeriCorps and local libraries. Members discussed regional "Mitten" grant funds and local plans for drop‑in tech help at township halls.
The Calhoun County Broadband Task Force’s digital equity subcommittee updated members on stopgap efforts to increase device access and digital literacy while BEAD infrastructure projects proceed.
Angela Semifero, director of the Marshall District Library and chair of the subcommittee, described partnerships that refurbish and distribute devices and hotspots. "Human IT takes unwanted and used technology from corporations and refurbishes it and distributes it, through community programs and through their low cost retail locations," she said, noting the nonprofit serves the East Coast from its Detroit location and can provide hotspots, tablets and computers to community programs.
The subcommittee highlighted local programs that are already working and could scale: Albion College’s Tech Savvy Seniors program with AmeriCorps students, Kellogg Community College’s lifelong learning services, and Marshall District Library’s digital learning efforts. Staff said the subcommittee will pilot monthly drop‑in tech help sessions at township halls beginning with Marengo Township and will explore distributing program information through Meals on Wheels and other services that reach target populations.
Members also discussed the Mitten grant, a regional digital‑equity award administered through regional planning organizations. Staff said the region received a multi‑year award (reported as more than $850,000 for the region), that the grant is reimbursement‑based, and that Calhoun County needs to clarify how to access and submit requests for funds. "We just need to have a little bit more of an ask. We need to make sure we know what we want to ask for," said Lynn, task force staff, summarizing next steps to prepare grant requests.
The subcommittee is considering rebranding so local programs are not affected by shifting federal or executive priorities that may reorganize or rename digital equity initiatives. Members said they will continue to seek sustainable funding and local staffing solutions and will meet again to detail mini‑grant proposals and rollout plans for training and device distribution.
What happens next: the digital equity subcommittee will schedule follow‑up meetings, finalize the Marengo Township pilot schedule, and prepare requests to pursue Mitten grant funds once county priorities and project scopes are finalized.