Manchester Township releases FAQ regarding Broadband Initiative
Manchester Township Hall
Do you have questions about the broadband initiative in Manchester Township? You can view the Manchester Township Broadband Initiative as a PDF on the township website or read the text in its entirety:
What is the Manchester Township Broadband Initiative?
Citizens of Manchester Township have asked the Manchester Township board to address the lack of broadband coverage in the area. In response to this citizen led initiative, Manchester Township funded a feasibility study. The study is set to take place in the summer of 2018, which will facilitate an understanding of how to address broadband access to all Manchester residents (both Village & Township) to understand how this issue might be addressed. The intent of the feasibility study is to learn options as they pertain to broadband accessibility within the Township. Upon completion of the feasibility study, the Manchester Township board will evaluate the feasibility report, and make determination regarding the best course of action.
Do Manchester Township residents care about having access to broadband?
The Township is inclusive of the Village, so this is a bit of a complicated question. Village residents already have access to broadband through major providers, so, while they are concerned for their neighbors in the Township, their technological needs are already being met. With that being said, in July of 2017, Manchester Township included a survey with the summer tax bill to gauge public interest in broadband. Of the responses received, 67% were from those residing within the Township, 29% in the Village and 4% from ‘other’ areas (- that those 4% was were not included in our outcomes). 86% of responding registered voters said that having high speed internet access at home is “important” or “very important”. Additionally, when asked if their current internet service met their needs, 67% responded with “not really” or “not at all”. It must be noted that the Township is inclusive of the Village, and residents of the Village largely have existing access to broadband from Comcast, while residents outside the Village do not. With that being said, residents both inside and outside the Village strongly supported a broadband feasibility study, with 92% of residents outside the Village supporting and 89% of residents inside the Village supporting.
Do Manchester Township residents have access to broadband services today?
Current data from Connect Michigan (a subsidiary of Connected Nation, partnering with the Michigan Public Service Commission, as part of a national effort to map and expand broadband) shows that at the Federal Communication Commission (FCC} broadband threshold of 25Mb download and 3Mb upload. While these speeds are available to residents in the Village with some current providers from Comcast, with few exceptions this is not an option offered by any service providerss to households/businesses outside Village limits.
Where is the current step of the Broadband proposal?
Based on the survey results indicating strong support from residents and lack of service to area residents the board has agreed to complete a feasibility study. This study does not tie us into any contracts and will add no additional taxes to any residents.
What is a feasibility study?
A feasibility study is an engineering study that is completed by a consulting company. In our case, CCG Consulting is the chosen firm that specializes in providing viable broadband infrastructure implementation and funding models to rural communities. To complete this, they will travel to our community and assess all the things needed to complete the project. This is also the same company that completed the feasibility study tor Sharon Township and is providing project management for, including models that include and exclude the Village. For models financed by the Township, currently the only mechanism is a Township wide bond backed by a millage. Using a special assessment district would give the Township the ability to exclude the Village from financing, but this is not currently allowed under state law. House Bil l 4162, introduced by State Representative Donna Lasinski last winter would grant special assessment rights which would give the Township more latitude with funding could be generatedTownships the ability to use special assessment districts in this way. That bill is still in committee, if you’d like to offer your support for its passage, you may find a letter of support here.
What can I do if I wish to support or oppose this initiative?
The Manchester Township Board meets on the second Tuesday of each month, at 7:00 p.m., at the Township Hall. These meetings are open to the public and provide citizens 2 opportunities to speak for 3 minutes each time about any issue that is important to them. You are always encouraged and welcome to attend/participate.
Will there be any public forums held to voice concerns?
The Township is planning to have public town hall meetings that are open to all area residents. Although none are decided yet there will be active communications for when they are confirmed.
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