More high-speed broadband is coming to Southwest Michigan, thanks to a federal grant.

On Wednesday Congressman Fred Upton announced a $3.3 million grant with Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue. The funding is part of the ReConnect Program that Upton and his Congressional colleagues supported two years ago.

The new lines will connect more than 3200 people in three counties, including Van Buren.

When he made the announcement, Upton recalled hearing from a student who was worried about virtual classroom teaching because they didn’t have reliable internet at their home.