The Leelanau Internet Futures Team will host a public groundbreaking ceremony this week to mark the start of construction on Leelanau County’s brand-new fiber internet network. The event is the latest milestone in the county’s long-running efforts to bring fiber internet service to the majority of local residents.

After spending the winter on “preparatory work” for the fiber buildout – including getting necessary permits, gathering materials, and creating a necessary fiber network connection to existing infrastructure in Grand Traverse County – Point Broadband, the county’s partner for this project, is ready to begin construction on the new network. That construction will officially commence this Thursday, May 4, at 11am, with a groundbreaking ceremony at 13807 South Bugai Road. Parking will be available on South Justice Way, which is just west of the event site, across Bugai Road.

In case of inclement weather, Point Broadband and the Leelanau Internet Futures Team have scheduled a “rain date” for Thursday, May 11 at 2pm. If rescheduling is necessary, the event will still take place at the same spot.

According to a project update from the Leelanau Internet Futures Team, Point Broadband “has started the notification process to residents” in the southern parts of Leelanau County. Those households will be the first to see fiber construction and network hookups. “Letters were mailed on March 29th to approximately 635 addresses in the area,” the project update read. “Notifications will be mailed to additional areas at least 30 days prior to construction.”

Other new developments and information on the fiber project can be found here.