CASS COUNTY, Mich. - Cass County is expanding its broadband reach thanks to a $100,000 rural development grant from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The county is one of 22 entities to receive funding.

With the money, Cass County will develop a countywide, parcel-level, GIS-based map of broadband availability.

The map will be used to develop a plan to bring broadband infrastructure to unserved and underserved parcels.

“The MDARD Grant provides the county with an incredible opportunity to verify the broadband connectivity of every parcel in the county as well as completing a commonsense plan for addressing deficiencies in the future,” said Cass County Administrator Matthew Newton. “This data will guide and support our future efforts with respect to identifying key areas of possible expansion as well as supporting future grant applications to enhance connectivity throughout the county.”

Before getting the grant, the county and Market Van Buren worked together to prepare a grant request. Cass County was one of 78 applicants.