Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship

The Central Michigan University Rural Health Equity Institute (RHEI) has been awarded more than $854,000 to fund efforts to improve online accessibility throughout the Great Lakes Bay Region and the surrounding rural areas.

The RHEI is proud to be a regional hub for the Michigan Inclusive Training Technology and Equity Network (MITTEN) program, serving communities in Region 5, which consists of Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Isabella, Midland and Saginaw counties. Led by the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office (MIHI) and funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Digital Equity Act, this initiative advances the Michigan Digital Equity Plan and promotes digital inclusion statewide through regional coordination, digital training and support for underserved communities.

The Institute is now finalizing partnership agreements with several other local and state organizations to form the East Central Prosperity Region 5 MITTEN Collaborative. This Collaborative brings together strong community anchor institutions that are currently leading digital equity initiatives in the region and across Michigan. They will work with statewide partners and other prosperity regions to create best practices for digital inclusion and explore sustainable solutions that can be scaled effectively in our communities. The group will also provide educational programs for local and regional leaders to learn how other communities are forming coalitions across philanthropic, civic, public, and private sectors to shape infrastructure, sustain programming, and create community-led plans that accelerate broadband adoption and digital inclusion for all.

“Improving access to health services is central to the mission of the CMU College of Medicine,” said George E. Kikano, M.D., dean of the College. “Since its founding in 2010, the medical school has remained focused on specific goals to help address the nationwide physician shortage and better meet the needs of populations in rural and underserved communities.”

Currently, household availability of computing devices and internet subscriptions vary within Region 5. Overall, 14% of households only have a cellular data plan with no other type of internet access. According to the Michigan Broadband Map, there are over 37,000 serviceable locations in the region with broadband speeds less than 25/3, the minimum broadband speed set by the Federal Communications Commission, or no broadband availability at all.

Under the direction of the RHEI, the Region 5 MITTEN collaborative will align its objectives and activities to implement Michigan’s Digital Equity Plan to ensure all Michiganders have access to an affordable, reliable high-speed internet connection in their home.