Mike Watza Principal and Chair of the Firm’s Telecommunications practice, provided the legal support, and some policy analysis leading to his clients’, Merit Network and PROTEC, success in gaining nonprofit and local government access to $1.59 Billion Dollars in grants from the federal government. These grants are designed to be used to create better Broadband (Internet Access) for Michigan residents. See Appropriations Bill HB 4437 Sec 609, here.

Merit, www.merit.edu, was formed in the 1960’s by the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Wayne State University, for the purpose of connecting University Research Computer Systems, such work in combination with the DOD, NSF and other major Universities, ultimately led to the creation of the Internet and more recently, Internet II. PROTEC, https://www.protec-mi.org/, is a government consortium of over 100 Michigan cities addressing telecommunication issues. Mike serves as Outside General Counsel for Merit and PROTEC.

Bottom line, but for this win, all those federal dollars would have gone to the large privately held incumbent internet service providers (ISP) who would use the money to further their private interests rather than the public benefit, the result of which would have been anticipated continuation of the generally overpriced, low quality, slow internet access so many have suffered with for decades. Now, nonprofits and local government are eligible to apply for and use these dollars to compete, leading to the development and sharing of, low cost, high quality, high speed internet access with the public.

Michael J. Watza heads the governmental litigation and affairs practice at the Kitch firm. Mr. Watza’s areas of concentration include litigated, legislative and administrative solutions on behalf of municipal, non-profit and private sector clients in the areas of Telecommunications, Energy, Complex Litigation and Legislative Consulting. Mr. Watza represents clients in state and federal trial courts throughout Michigan and has argued in both the State and U.S. Court of Appeals as well as attended to regulatory matters before the Michigan Public Service Commission, Tax Tribunal, Department of Labor and Economic Growth, US DOT and Federal Communication Commission. Mr. Watza has also represented his clients’ interests before the U.S. Congress and the Michigan State Legislature as a witness, client advisor, negotiator and drafter of legislation on various issues including telecommunications, cable, energy, pipelines, the formation of inter-governmental authorities and tort reform.

Mike Watza’s Clients Secure Access to $1.59 Billion in Grants Benefiting Michigan Residents

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