Genesee County, MI — The Genesee County Broadband Task Force, chaired by Commissioner Dr. Beverly Brown, had a very productive meeting on Tuesday afternoon. This group has an ambitious goal: to ensure every home and business in the county has access to affordable, reliable, high-speed internet.

The Task Force met for more than an hour to discuss how public-private partnerships can lead the way toward achieving this ambitious goal for county residents.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Commissioner Dr. Brown reminded the group of the importance of focusing on more than just accessibility. One of the major barriers to access is not simply lack of service, but lack of affordability for many residents.

Universal high-speed internet is a major driver of economic development, and there are many examples of this across the country. When all residents and businesses have access to affordable, high-speed internet, the county will be more competitive in attracting and retaining employers, supporting remote work, and creating opportunities for entrepreneurs.

The benefits of Broadband are numerous. Increased access expands educational and job-training opportunities, improves access to telehealth, and helps residents stay healthy and employed. It raises property values, stabilizes neighborhoods, and encourages new housing and population growth.

The Task Force, and numerous other community partners, learned this firsthand from Dr. Bento Lobo, head of the Department of Finance and Economics at the Rollins College of Business at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga at the Impact Genesee Summit earlier this year. The Summit was a partnership between Genesee County and the University of Michigan-Flint’s Office of Economic Development. Dr. Lobo has been on the forefront of broadband Internet as a driver of economic and community growth in Hamilton County, TN, where they have experience incredible growth in their local economy as a result of their now decade-old investment in universal broadband.

Hamilton County has universal broadband through its municipally-owned utility, which provides a 100% fiber optic network with speeds up to 25 gigabits per second to all residential and commercial customers within the city of Chattanooga and Hamilton County.

Genesee County has taken a leadership role in this endeavor but, to be successful, it will require a community-based collaborative approach that engages all stakeholders.

The next Broadband Task Force meeting is schedule for Tuesday, January 27, 2026.