Realizing Opportunity with Broadband Infrastructure Networks (ROBIN) Grant Program

The Realizing Opportunity with Broadband Infrastructure Networks (ROBIN) Grant Program was established to expand high-speed internet access across unserved areas in Michigan, closing the digital divide and improving economic, educational, and healthcare outcomes for residents and businesses. Administered by the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office (MIHI) within the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), the program utilizes $238 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of the Treasury Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund.

Funding is available to internet service providers (ISPs) and public-private partnerships. Applicants must demonstrate managerial, operational, and financial capacity to execute large-scale broadband deployments and provide significant matching funds. Scoring priority is given to projects that leverage existing infrastructure, maximize the number of unserved locations covered, demonstrate community engagement and local support, and offer affordable service tiers for low-income residents.

Eligible projects include last-mile and middle-mile broadband infrastructure deployments in unserved areas that lack reliable internet access. Funded infrastructure must be capable of providing symmetrical service with minimum speeds of 100 Mbps download and 100 Mbps upload (100/100 Mbps) to every household, business, and community anchor institution included in the project scope.

Applications were submitted online through the State of Michigan Electronic Grants Administration & Management System (EGrAMS). Following the submission of initial applications, MIHI administered a formal challenge process allowing existing service providers to demonstrate whether proposed locations were already served or subject to enforceable buildout commitments. After resolving challenges and scoring proposals, grants were awarded in two batches, with recipients operating under formal grant agreements subject to U.S. Treasury Capital Projects Fund compliance, reporting, and reimbursement requirements.