The Berrien County Board of Commissioners is seeing the results of its efforts to expand broadband internet around the county.

At this week’s regular meeting of the board, commissioners heard from Galien Township Supervisor Gerald Mast, who said Midwest Energy and Communications is close to turning on the broadband in his community.

“We’re very, very, very, very, very close,” Mast said. “I got to count my ‘verys’ because I keep posting on Facebook to the community how much closer we’re getting and adding another very each time.”

Mast said most of the equipment is in place, and the township is only waiting on two final things before the juice is turned on. He thanked Berrien County Community Development Director Dan Fette, County Administrator Brian Dissette, and commissioners for their efforts to hook them up.

Board of Commissioners Chair Mac Elliott said the long hours spent on broadband by the county have been worth it.

“This is something, as you know, that five, six years ago was just conceptual,” Elliott said. “Now it’s happening. We’re getting internet out and about in the county, good quality, high speed internet.”

This past summer, Berrien County Commissioner Teri Freehling, who sits on the county’s broadband committee, told us we’re seeing about 10,000 additional parcels served with broadband since efforts started in 2022 to expand that utility.

Thanks to grants and the American Rescue Plan, Berrien County has been able to invest millions in broadband, while companies like MEC kick in their own dollars to gain more customers.

While MEC has brought the most new high-speed internet to the county, companies like Surf Internet and Comcast have also been expanding. Just this week, Comcast announced it’s completed work to in an unserved area of Bainbridge Township with the help of the county.