WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
About one in 10 residences in St. Joseph County does not have access to high-speed internet.
The statistic was provided to St. Joseph County officials this month by broadband consultant Chris Scharrer, CEO of Washtenaw County-based DCS Technology Design.
Appearing at the county board’s June 11 executive committee meeting, Scharrer said his research shows about 3,100 households – 12 percent of the county’s residences – do not have access to high-speed internet service.
Scharrer said his job centers on rural broadband mapping. Through driving every rural road in the county, Scharrer said he was able to determine pockets in St. Joseph County do not have the benefit of a high-speed internet option.
County administrator Teresa Cupp said Scharrer’s study was a valuable service. When discussing several months ago viable uses for their American Rescue Plan Act money, county officials agreed some of the ARPA funding should be used to help secure high-speed internet for the county’s rural areas.
Scharrer said the work he has done in other counties has “led to real programs that are getting stuff done,” he said, noting Berrien County is close to having a complete plan, while Van Buren and Cass counties have complete plans.
