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MEC says county fiber build on track for Q2 2026; ARPA funding and homeowner extensions discussed
Summary
Midwest Energy & Communications told the Berrien County Broadband Internet Task Force that take-rates are rising and construction is expected to finish by the end of the second quarter of 2026; county staff confirmed an ARPA contribution of $675 per parcel, not to exceed $4.5 million. Homeowners on a nearby subdivision are seeking an interim extension while crews remain mobilized.
Jennifer Gilliam, business development manager at Midwest Energy & Communications (MEC), told the Berrien County Broadband Internet Task Force on Feb. 5 that MEC’s buildout in Berrien County is progressing and that "take-rates are continuing to rise in every completed zone." She said winter weather could alter the schedule but that MEC currently anticipates finishing construction countywide by the end of the second quarter of 2026.
County staff raised finance and invoice questions during the update. Dan Fette, community development director, asked whether any outstanding 2025 invoices remained. Staff are establishing a budget line for remaining work, and the county has committed $675 in ARPA funds per parcel toward builds, with a total contribution not to exceed $4.5 million.
MEC also discussed an ad hoc homeowner request near an active construction area: roughly 45 parcels on Camp Madrin Lake Road (the meeting notes include an alternate spelling, "Camp Madron," in a separate line) have asked MEC for an extension of fiber while crews are mobilized nearby. Gilliam said MEC will extend fiber to those parcels "as long as there is a full commitment from homeowners to subscribe to MEC’s service." The task force noted that such interim extensions depend on crew availability and whether the parcels fall inside grant-funded zones.
The task force recorded that New Buffalo Township is next in MEC’s revised February 2026 schedule. New Buffalo Township Supervisor Michelle Heit asked about timing; Gilliam confirmed the township is included in MEC’s "Three Oaks" zone along with Chikaming and Galien townships. The task force scheduled follow-up coordination between MEC, county staff, and township officials to confirm precise start dates and subscription outreach.
