Mission Statement:

To assure the Shiawassee Area has Internet and advanced information technology access.

Member Benefits
Internet Providers
Website Design and Hosting

Shiawassee County: Leading the way to Internet connectivity

In 1995, there was no local Internet connectivity for Shiawassee County residents and businesses.  The (then) Owosso-Corunna Chamber of Commerce and group of local technology leaders formed ShiaNet, which became the communities website and dial-up Internet service.  In less than 5 years, more than 5000 people subscribed to ShiaNet.

Today, broadband service is available to nearly any point within the county.  DSL, cable, T-1, and even T-3 connectivity will provide enough bandwidth for any type of high-tech industry.  Area schools are connected by fiber managed by the Shiawassee Regional Education Service district.  Broadband has become a vital link for area businesses to the world economy, allowing the smallest manufacturer to compete in the global arena.

The Technology Development Committee continues to meet six times each year at the Shiawassee Regional Chamber of Commerce.

LinkShiawassee: A ShiaNet Collaboration to Expand High-Speed Internet Service

In the autumn of 2002, a team of local technology experts joined together to plan the next phase of broadband infrastructure build-out for Shiawassee County.  Armed with a "LinkMichigan" grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), the team selected Merit Network of Ann Arbor, Michigan, to create the study.  We found out that most business customers are well-served by broadband.  Rural businesses have access to reliable dial-up service, but for a farmer who relies on up-to-the-minute commodity prices or weather reports, dial-up is not fast enough.

New private businesses are beginning to show interest in providing broadband to rural areas.  Wireless service is currently available in the western edge of Shiawassee County, and by the end of 2004, should be available to the entire northern half of the county.

DSL is also gradually becoming more widely available throughout the county.  This technology is limited to a distance of about 3 miles, but DSL providers are working to install additional equipment which will expand service to more customers.

New advances in broadband technology will also appear in the next year or two.  Right now, customers in Pennsylvania are receiving their Internet service through their power lines.  Broadband Power Line (BPL) is in the testing phase, but the results so far are positive.  Wireless technology will continue to evolve, and one day it might be possible for everyone in Shiawassee County to connect to one "super antenna."

The LinkShiawassee Committee is committed to our goal of "ensuring that all residents of Shiawassee County have access to advanced information technology."

Visit the LinkShiawassee website here.

Shiawassee Regional Chamber of Commerce Technology Membership Benefits

Chamber members are eligible to receive the following benefits:

• A free web page on the Chamber website.

Internet Providers

There are a variety of Internet providers in the Shiawassee region.  Please download the current list of providers here (PDF).

Website Developers and Website Hosting

Shiawassee Regional Chamber of Commerce
215 N. Water Street, Owosso, Michigan  48867  (989)  723-5149  Fax (989) 723-8353