Internet provider closes gap in service for residents of rural Grand Haven

GRAND HAVEN TOWNSHIP, MI — An internet provider in southeastern Michigan plans to bring high-speed internet to rural parts of Grand Haven Township.

Southfield-based 123NET recently entered into an agreement with Grand Haven Township to deploy 5.5 miles of high-capacity fiber to rural parts of the township that are currently underserved.

The Grand Haven Township construction is an expansion of a $25 million project Ottawa County completed with 123NET in December. The project is intended to add 380 miles of additional fiber and bring high-speed internet to approximately 4,000 unserved residents across the county.

“Ottawa County is actively working with 123NET to enhance connectivity in the region with an open-access, high-performance network,” said Township Manager William Cargo. “We are strategically adding fiber in Grand Haven Township to benefit residents today and stimulate future development. This project will realize significant cost and operational efficiencies by aligning with the broader county-wide grant project.”

Ottawa County has a total population of 296,200, of which over 18,000 live in Grand Haven Charter Township (as of the 2020 census).

The county-level project costs will be offset in part by $7.5 million from Ottawa County’s American Rescue Plan Act funds, $14 million from state grants, and $3.5 million from 123NET.

For Grand Haven Township, the future network will serve approximately 120 commercial and residential addresses, but 123NET said the network will also have the capacity to serve future residential and commercial developments.

Chuck Irvin, executive vice president at 123NET, said in a statement that Grand Haven Township “has taken a major step forward by considering how the area will develop over time and implementing the necessary infrastructure now to support future development opportunities.

“We are excited to be part of this innovative, forward-looking program and are always available to discuss how communities can make the most of these connectivity opportunities.”

Construction on the broader project in Ottawa County has just begun, and the portion in Grand Haven Township will be completed in stages over the next few years. 123NET said it would use a combination of West Michigan contractors and its own construction teams to complete construction.

Surf Internet of Elkhart, Indiana, has also begun construction of its own fiber-optic network for the city of Grand Haven and parts of Grand Haven Township. The network, expected to be completed in early 2026, will serve approximately 4,900 homes.

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