PIE&G announces plan to provide internet access to customers
NORTHEAST MICHIGAN– Presque Isle Electric & Gas is expanding into internet service.
Spokesperson Maire Chagnon-Hazelman announced Monday the co–op will use their lines to deliver broadband internet. She said $11 million dollars from the FCC’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund made the project possible.
Chagnon–Hazelman told WBKB that PIE&G believes the internet is just as important as electricity.
“We set our first pole in Posen, Michigan in 1937 for electric services back when FDR had the REA project. So we brought those essential services. Now we feel that offering internet is yet another essential service needed by rural communities.”
Chagnon-Hazelman said the program is still in its planning stages, but will first focus on serving unconnected PIE&G customers.
The co–op plans to run over 3,000 miles of fiber along its current utility poles in the nine–county area.
They predict the project will take several years to complete.
