
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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