ANN ARBOR – Merit Network announced Tuesday it has cut a deal with Bloomingdale Communications to deploy fiber-optic network infrastructure that will be jointly owned by each organization to build-out their respective network projects.
Both projects are in part federally-funded. In working together, Merit and Bloomingdale maximize federal investment in Michigan to save tax-payers? dollars.
“This agreement is an excellent example of two companies working together for the greater good of the public,” said Bob Stovall, vice president of network engineering and operations for Merit Network.
“It demonstrates the real benefits of collaboration, which Merit has championed as an organization for quite some time,” he said. “In addition to creating cost-savings, the joint segment upon which Merit and Bloomingdale will collaborate is sure to accelerate the completion of both projects and improve their long-term viability as maintenance and other operational costs can be shared between parties.”
“Bloomingdale Communications, as a private company, is very excited to work with a non-profit of Merit Network’s reputation. I believe that this agreement is going to provide significant benefit to both organizations and our respective projects,” said Mark Bahnson, CEO/general manager, Bloomingdale Communications.
Merit Network and Bloomindale Communications are individually leading respective efforts to construct fiber-optic infrastructure in Michigan as part of the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). BTOP, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), awarded grants to help pay for fiber-optic network deployment in rural and underserved areas in two funding rounds.
Merit’s REACH-3MC project will serve as a nearly 2,300-mile extension of Merit’s leading-edge network in rural areas of Michigan’s Lower and Upper Peninsulas with key interconnection points in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The Van Buren County Fiber Ring project, led by Bloomingdale Communications, will deploy a high-speed fiber network that will connect communities to one another and countywide. Both projects focus on improved service to community anchor institutions and economic development for rural Michigan.
The two projects will jointly own a 44-mile stretch of middle mile infrastructure that runs from Berrien Springs to South Haven, encompassing the communities of Benton Harbor, Coloma and Watervliet along the way.
Merit Network will lead the construction and implementation of the segment. The infrastructure and related facilities will be jointly owned by both Merit Network and Bloomingdale Communications. The fiber sheath will essentially house each organization’s respective networks.
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