(Chelsea Update would like to thank Patty Roberts for the information and photo in this story.)
Melanie Bell, of the Chelsea District Library, has been selected for the 2014 Connect Michigan Broadband Hero Award and will be recognized on Oct. 29 in Lansing.
The Michigan Broadband Hero Award recognizes individuals, organizations, and companies working diligently to expand broadband and technology access, adoption, and use throughout the Great Lakes State.
Bell, the library’s network administrator, has been instrumental in leading an effort with local township supervisors, libraries, schools, and other key representatives of townships in Western Washtenaw County to launch a common initiative to improve the availability of broadband (high speed Internet) service throughout the community.
Sponsored by state Rep. Gretchen Driskell, D-Saline, the group has been meeting since November 2012 and partnering with Connect Michigan to develop and execute a plan to bring better broadband service to our residents, public institutions and local businesses.
“Melanie has been a leader in this effort from day one,” said Bill Harmer, library director in a press release.
“She has served as co-chair of the group and was instrumental in gathering and tabulating data from thousands of area residents about the current availability and use of broadband service across Western Washtenaw County,” he said.
Congratulations, Ms. Bell, and Thank You.