MacMedia History Timeline

1994 – MacNet emerges as one of the first free access internet providers in the United States.  MacNet begins as sixteen 14.4 modems in the basement of Hope College.

2000 - The Macatawa Area Community Media Center (MacMedia) is formed as MacNet and MacTV, the local community access station, join forces.

2001 - With an SBC Foundation grant, MacMedia begins the Computers & Access Reaching Everyone program. The CARE project refurbishes computers for economically individuals and nonprofit organizations in the community.

2002 – MacTV, on the Comcast side, grows from one community access channel to a Public Access channel, an Education Access channel and a Government Access Channel.

2004 - The CARE Program receives Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher (MAR) status.

2004 - MacMedia wins a Telly Award for West Michigan Biography Series

2005 - MacMedia wins Telly Awards for Tulip Time Parades Broadcasts, Environment Public Service Announcements and another West Michigan Biography.

2006 – MacNet merges with Iserv

2006 – MacMedia partners with Michigan Works! and Kandu to form MacWIA – a high school work training program.  MacWIA was asked to present at the National Youth Development Symposium because of its innovative nature.

2006 – MacMedia partners with Holland Cornerstone Drop-In Center and receives a Holland/Zeeland Community Foundation grant to train clients and produce “Your Good Mental Health”.

2007 – MacMedia receives an AT&T Excelerator grant of $21,500 to purchase equipment to provide more technical experiences for MacWIA students, including putting PEG programming online.

2008 – The “interconnect” which made it possible for MacTV is be viewed in Fillmore, Holland, Laketown, Park, and Zeeland Townships; and the City of Zeeland since 1997 is disconnected.