Deborah Haak-Frost Local, News

Three Rivers approves application for fiber optic internet permit

The Three Rivers City Commission heard a proposal from a representative of Surf Internet to install fiber optic internet within the city’s rights of way and approved the METRO Act application unanimously. 

Jim Morris of Surf Internet answered questions from the commissioners and explained the details of the proposed installation, which is being replicated in numerous other communities in southwest Michigan. After the application is approved, Morris said, the Elkhart-based company will go through the final permitting and layout plans. Morris estimated the timeline will result in a “spring build,” working through small sections of the city in phases. The project comes at no cost to the city, and the company will work with the Department of Public Services to install lines within the public rights of way mostly underground, but aerially as needed. 

The company will be working to sign residents up for the service, and Morris touted the benefits of fiber internet as “transformational for a community, it’s something people get excited about… It’s much faster, it’s much more reliable. It’s symmetrical – your upload speeds are the same as your download speeds – and it’s less expensive.” Surf Internet has worked with schools to improve internet access, and recognized an increased need for reliable internet in homes and businesses recently, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. “

Commissioner Chris Abel wanted to make sure that the rollout “is fair and impartial to everybody.” Morris responded that the company will do a complete “walk out” of the city streets, and go over a coverage plan with city staff to ensure all areas are adequately represented.

In other business…

  • The commission approved committing funds from ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) to lost revenue in order to close out paperwork for the grant.
  • John Beebe presented the Planning Commission Annual Report, noting that the commission is continuing its work with site plans, special use permits, and master plan implementation activities. Beebe also noted that a map of water service line replacements is now available on the city website, “and we’ll be updating that map periodically as replacements continue to occur.”

Deborah Haak-Frost is the Caretaker for Community Engagement at GilChrist Retreat Center in Three Rivers, and volunteers with *culture is not optional, a Three Rivers-based community development organization.