Great Lakes Energy (GLE) was recently awarded more than $46 million through three Realizing Opportunity with Broadband Infrastructure Networks (ROBIN) grants. The grants will support expansion of the Truestream fiber network, giving nearly 10,000 members access to the high-speed internet connections they need for work, school, entertainment, and telehealth. The grants impact fiber construction for portions of three of service districts, ultimately spanning across parts of 11 counties within our service area.
Construction in the districts will take up to three years for completion.
| District | Counties served | Locations | Total awarded |
| Waters | Crawford, Montmorency, and Otsego | 2,465 locations | $10,839,408 |
| Kalkaska | Antrim, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Otsego | 3,660 locations | $17,777,533 |
| Scottville | Lake, Manistee, Mason, and Oceana | 3,384 locations | $18,018,715 |
“These grants represent a significant step towards expanding broadband access further into our service territory,” said Shaun Lamp, president and CEO of Great Lakes Energy and Truestream. “The cost of materials and services required to expand our network is growing, and the financial support provided through these ROBIN grants ensures we can maintain the steady growth we’ve set in reaching our members with life-changing fiber service.”
Construction plans for 2024 will focus on building in the Waters Service District as well as a small portion of the Kalkaska Service District. More details, including areas and registration information, will be shared soon.
More than 19,000 GLE members in parts of Allegan, Antrim, Barry, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet, Kent, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, and Otsego counties are currently enjoying Truestream’s life-changing services, some experiencing a high-speed internet connection at home for the first time.
GLE members can enter their address in our interactive status map for construction progress and projections as it relates to their location and log into their online account to share their interest.