GAYLORD — An initial general meeting to establish a Northern Michigan Broadband Development Cooperative is planned for Wednesday, Jan. 16 in Gaylord at the University Center.

The initiative, according to organizers, builds on the frustration about a lack of Broadband/Internet availability. That frustration was expressed in an October Broadband Summit sponsored by Congressman Bart Stupak, D-Menominee, and USDA Rural Development officials in early October.

Interested individuals and representatives of both private and public organizations concerned about Broadband services in Northern Lower Michigan are encouraged to attend the 10 a.m.-1 p.m. session at the University Center, 80 Livingston Blvd.

The meeting is sponsored by the Northern Lakes Economic Alliance, Northeast Michigan Council of Governments and ConnecTech Gaylord.

The lack of ubiquitous and robust Broadband/Internet services in Northern Michigan suppresses economic development, hinders public education, impedes the delivery of critical services, and therefore directly affects the quality of life for citizens and the vitality of communities, contend organizers. The nonprofit cooperative would seek to build a thriving and reliable Broadband/Internet network to serve schools, hospitals, organizations, businesses and residents of Northern Michigan.

“We’re very excited about participating in this initiative,” said Diane Rekowski of the Northeast Michigan Council of Governments. “It just makes sense that large-scale collaboration and cooperation is the way to go. This is all about Northern Michigan working together to solve a Northern Michigan problem.”

The meeting is the first step in the creation of the cooperative. Attending will be residents of Northern Lower Michigan concerned about Broadband availability; owners and operators of large and small businesses; representatives of public and private institutions; representatives of county, city, township and other governmental bodies; economic development advocates; representatives of funding and grant sources; Broadband/Internet service providers; Broadband related manufacturers, consultants, and contractors.

Meeting registration information and a white paper outlining the approach are available online.

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