Clark Township Committee Aims To Bring in High Speed Internet

Clark Township is forming an ad hoc committee to bring high-speed Internet access to the area.

Township Supervisor Linda Hudson, at the October 20 township board meeting, called for volunteers to investigate how the township can acquire high-speed Internet service for residents and businesses. The committee may also look at ways to improve cellular telephone service in the area.

So far, Mike Autore of Cedarville and Chet Kasper III of Hessel have volunteered to serve on the committee, and Mrs. Hudson asked Tom Smith of MOTHERS Computers in Cedarville to serve on the committee as he represents a professional Internet service provider.

“I think it’s time to look at this as a need, if we’re to have economic development,” Mrs. Hudson said.

High speed Internet, she said, is a necessary “business retention strategy” that is being required in some places by businesses that download and send high-volume documents and images.

Anyone interested in serving on the committee should call Clark Township Hall at (906) 484-2672.

Mackinac County Michigan State University Extension Director Michelle Walk has offered assistance, and Paul Routhier, an independent computer systems consultant, said Clark Township has some challenges in bringing high speed Internet access to the community.

Topography can interfere with wireless transmission, he said, and a cable to bring broadband service to the township will be costly.