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Subdivision asks MEC to extend fiber to 45 parcels; company outlines sign-up thresholds and costs
Summary
Camp Madron Lake Road residents in Buchanan Charter Township asked MEC for a mid-build extension to 45 parcels; DCS’s Chris Scharrer told a resident MEC and applicants face BEAD timing uncertainty and outlined installation price tiers tied to sign-up rates (e.g., $100 per installation if 91–100% commit).
Representatives reported a request from the Camp Madron Lake Road subdivision in Buchanan Charter Township asking MEC to extend fiber to 45 parcels while crews are working nearby. Task force notes state all 45 parcel owners must quickly agree to the extension for MEC to include the build before demobilization.
DCS Technology Design President Chris Scharrer emailed a resident about the options and tradeoffs, describing uncertainty around BEAD timing and a proposed MEC pricing model tied to resident commitments. Scharrer’s email laid out sample installation-cost tiers tied to guaranteed commitments: 100%–91% commitments at $100 per installation; 90%–71% at $500; 70%–51% at $1,000; and no build if fewer than 23 (50%) residents commit.
The minutes also note Camp Madron is currently served by Michiana Supernet and that some residents previously refused MEC entry to the subdivision during earlier outreach. Task force materials reminded members that BEAD, ARPA and ROBIN will not reimburse parcels already served; only unserved or underserved parcels are eligible for federal reimbursement.
No formal decision was taken at the meeting; staff and MEC said the extension would require rapid, documented homeowner commitments and coordination with the grant eligibility rules.
