Done planning and "ready to go": How Michigan is navigating the BEAD process

Done planning and "ready to go": How Michigan is navigating the BEAD process

From Connected Nation by Jessica Denson

June 8, 2026 · 28 min · Season 7 · Episode 29

About this episode

This episode features a discussion with Michigan’s Chief Connectivity Officer about the state's approach to the BEAD program and efforts to close the Digital Divide.

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a massive federal broadband program gets paused, rewritten, and restarted? On this episode of Connected Nation, we talk with Michigan’s Chief Connectivity Officer, Eric Frederick, about navigating the BEAD program's "administrative slog." Learn how Michigan is using everything from Great Lakes subsea cables to AI literacy to finally get shovels in the ground and close the Digital Divide. Recommended links: Eric Frederick LinkedIn Michigan High-Speed Internet...

People in this episode

Host: Jessica Denson

Guest: Eric Frederick

Topics covered

  • broadband
  • digital divide
  • infrastructure
  • AI literacy
  • federal programs

Keywords

  • broadband
  • BEAD program
  • Michigan
  • digital divide
  • AI literacy
  • infrastructure

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Michigan, BEAD program

Places: Great Lakes, Michigan High-Speed Internet

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