Work could begin next year to bring a fiber optic broadband route from Chicago to Benton Harbor by way of Lake Michigan.

Speaking to the Benton Harbor Economic Development and Parks Committee this week, Peninsula Fiber Network’s Jennifer Greenburg said a $27 million federal grant will make it possible to run the high-capacity line for broadband traffic across the lake and on into St. Joseph and Byron Center. She said having this line come through Benton Harbor will open up opportunities for the community.

“It means that there’s opportunities for high -tech users here,” Greenburg said. “ It’s a marketable economic development opportunity to bring additional growth into the city, a nd it really sort of strengthens the region’s c

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