Director Statement
Today, technology plays a pivotal role in how businesses operate, how institutions provide services, and where consumers choose to live, work, and play. The success of a community has become dependent on how much the community adopts technology resources, which includes access to reliable, high-speed networks, the digital literacy of residents, and the use of online resources locally for business, government, and leisure.
As noted in the National Broadband Plan (NBP), broadband internet is “a foundation for economic growth, job creation, global competitiveness, and a better way of life.”
Connected Nation Michigan works with local, regional, state, and federal partners to facilitate and build Michigan’s capacity for leveraging technology for improved quality of life and community and economic development. Through broadband and technology mapping, research, and community planning, we work to bring light to the issues of digital inequality and create more digitally inclusive communities. To accomplish this goal, we take a comprehensive approach to technology development.
Connected Nation Michigan recognizes that in order to fully participate in a digital economy, the state needs to address issues not only of the access to broadband (supply) but also the ways in which it is adopted and used (demand). Wired and wireless signals are useless if they cannot be leveraged to improve civic engagement, retain families and youth, improve leadership, expand our economy, and develop local human capital and talent.
Everyone belongs in a Connected Nation.
Eric Frederick
Executive Director, Connected Nation Michigan
OUR TEAM
Eric Frederick, Vice President, Community Affairs
Eric Frederick serves as Vice President, Community Affairs for Connected Nation. Eric is responsible for managing the development and implementation of the Connected Community Engagement Program (ConnectedSM) across the United States. Eric develops and maintains Connected partner relationships in support of Connected Nation’s mission. In addition, Eric provides primary management, oversight, and support for Connected Nation Michigan’s state strategy as a context for advancing methodologies relevant to Connected. Prior to his role of Vice President, Community Affairs, Eric served as the Executive Director for Connected Nation Michigan. In this role, he developed relationships with statewide, national, and international groups that are partnering with Connected Nation to solve problems of connectivity and to bolster the value of internet connections. Eric also led a nationally recognized team that produced the nation’s first certified Connected community. Eric holds a master’s in urban and regional planning from Michigan State University and a bachelor of science in urban planning and GIS from Northern Michigan University.

Dan Manning, Community Technology Advisor

Tom Stephenson, Community Technology Advisor

Wes Kerr, Director, Community Solutions

Heather Gate, Director, Digital Inclusion

Christy White, Project Manager
