This survey is the first component in the "Gigabit Community" broadband pilot project, administered by the Mackinac Economic Alliance (MEA).  The purpose of this survey is to document and map the need for faster, reliable internet in three townships located in Mackinac County (Brevort, Clark and Portage).  These townships were selected specifically for this pilot project, based on two important factors:  concentration of residents lacking reliable internet service, and proximity to existing, in-ground fiber optic cable.  Following MEA's presentation on the pilot project in each township during April 2016, several community members in each locale have agreed act as "Champions" who will help in raising awareness about the project and distributing the survey locally.  This survey can also be easily accessed and shared via our Facebook page.

In order for a community to be eligible for internet service upgrades, private providers require documented survey responses from at least 50% of local residents.  Once we receive at least 50% return from each township, all participant responses will be mapped.   These maps will then be used as the basis for engineering plans and feasibility studies in each township.  Engineering plans and feasibility studies help to determine the community-specific costs of internet service upgrades and network construction, and are required by private providers in our region as a prerequisite to servicing an area of need.

The future site of the "Gigabit Community" pilot project will depend on which township is able to collect the largest percentage of survey return.  For this reason, it is important that you take the time to answer the short list of questions below and encourage your friends, family and other community members to do the same!