Congressman Bart Stupak, 2007 Northern MIchigan Broadband Summit

Northern Michigan Broadband Summit Highlights

The Summit, held on October 1, 2007 at the Ramada Inn in Grayling, opened to a gathering of nearly 180 people. The conference was hosted by Congressman Bart Stupak and the USDA.  There were speakers representing the many arenas that Broadband impacts, including healthcare, economic development, community infrastructure and education.  This conference was sponsored by the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments, the Northeast Michigan Council of Governments, Northern Lakes Economic Alliance, Crawford County Economic Development Partnership and the Northern Economic Network.

Conference attendees were welcomed by Congressman Stupak.  USDA Rural Development State Director, Gene DeRossett and staff members gave a well rounded review of USDA Rural Development programs.  Ron Choura, with the Public Service Commission and MSU, gave a presentation on the future of Broadband.  The luncheon speaker was Michael Copps, FCC Commissioner for the Michigan area.  Mr. Copps gave an overview of the status of Broadband issues from the federal perspective.

Afternoon speakers included representatives from communities who have tackled Broadband issues, such as the City of Alpena with their Fiber Consortium, the new Allband telecommunications company in the Hillman area and a new Internet provider in the Thumb area of Michigan.  Other speakers included Eric Grandstaff, from the North Central Michigan College and Chair of NLEA's Broadband Council, David McCauslin from the Cheboygan Area Schools and Elwood Downing from Merit Network.  Economic development topics were covered by Dr. Rex LaMore from MSU and Dorothy Felton from American Spoon Foods.  Representatives from Washtenaw County gave a presentation about the Washtenaw Wired project and Jack Thompson reviewed how the UCMAN consortium was formed in the Gaylord area.  Healthcare topics were covered by Sally Davis from Marquette General Hospital and Elizabeth Gertz from the North Central Council.  The conference ended with a questions and answer session between the attendees and the USDA.