Broadband internet information for rural residents of Manchester Township 

Manchester Township Hall

submitted by Kim Thompson, Manchester Township Treasurer

If you haven’t heard, residents of rural Manchester Township will have access to high-speed internet by the end of this year. This was made possible through our Township’s membership on the Broadband Task Force and Washtenaw County’s commitment to use a portion of their American Rescue Act funding in order to bring this necessary utility to the entirety of the county. The provider in our rural township will be Midwest Energy Cooperative, and they anticipate having us fully connected by the end of this year.  

If you wish to be connected, please know the “Aid to Construction,” or connection fee, is $100 — and you can sign up on this website: www.teammidwest.com. Once there, you can also find details of the plans available, including cost. After you’ve signed up, you will receive periodic updates via email, so you’re aware of MEC’s progress in our township. Please direct all questions to Midwest Energy through the “contact us” feature on their website. 

Broadband Access Mini Grant Program 

Because access is so critically important for all of our rural residents, the Manchester Township Board of Trustees has dedicated $5,000 of our own American Rescue Plan funding to create a Mini Grant program intended to help those who may be experiencing financial hardship. We will reimburse MEC’s Aid to Construction fee, up to $100, for eligible households. It’s possible you could then qualify for free internet thereafter. Your household can qualify if the household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines OR any member of the household: 

• Participates in a government-assistance program, such as SNAP, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, WIC, or Lifeline. 
• Participates in the National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision. 
• Received a federal Pell Grant in the current award year. 

More details on the Mini Grant program will follow, including instructions on how to sign up, be reimbursed up to $100 for the Aid to Construction fee, and more. Should you have questions in the meantime, please stop by the Manchester Township Hall, 275 S Macomb St, or call us at (734) 428-7090. Township office hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:30am to noon. The office is closed on Thursdays.

For as little as $1 a month, you can keep Manchester-focused news coverage alive.

by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.