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Benton Harbor commission approves PFN broadband deal to connect municipal buildings
Summary
The commission authorized an agreement with PFN (Financial Fiber Network, LLC) to bring 1-gig fiber to municipal buildings free for seven years and to enable wholesale service options for the city; commissioners pressed for scope, cost and oversight details before approving the motion.
The Benton Harbor City Commission voted Dec. 1 to develop and execute an agreement with PFN (Financial Fiber Network, LLC) to install high-speed fiber connections to municipal buildings.
City Manager Alex Little told the commission the project is part of a larger regional effort and said, "It is a $62,000,000, federal grant project, that's running a line from the city of Chicago underneath Lake Michigan to the city of Benton Harbor… which bolsters our ability to attract businesses, commerce." He said each municipal building named in the agreement would receive one gigabit service free for seven years, and the estimated cost to make the physical connections is roughly $320,000, which PFN will cover.
Commissioners asked whether the service is limited to municipal buildings or would extend to residents and businesses. The manager said the initial agreement provides fiber to municipal facilities and that the city could later choose to offer service to residents or businesses at a wholesale rate. Commissioner Kennard sought clarification about PFN's identity; staff described the company as "Financial fiber network, LLC," selected at the state level to carry out the crossing and related connections.
Commissioner Juanita Henry said she wanted technical reports and soil-boring findings for areas where work is planned, citing past issues with a separate park project. The manager said the project has Army Corps of Engineers approval and emphasized the public benefit of lower-cost, more reliable municipal connectivity.
By roll call the motion moved by Commissioner Shannon Henderson and supported by Commissioner Edward Isom passed; recorded votes showed one dissenting vote from Commissioner Henry and the motion carried.
The commission's authorization directs staff to finalize and return with an executable agreement; the city will receive seven years of free service to approved municipal facilities and the option to purchase wholesale service afterward.
