A few years back I knew a guy who built a network for a few neighbors South of Ann Arbor. I was on some discussion group and just coincidentally CmdrTaco was complaining about his poor internet access South of Ann Arbor. Chimed in to provide an introduction to my friend and together they expanded the network.
Wish East Lansing had all the independent efforts that Ann Arbor does. Been trying to get fiber here for ten years, none of the local providers will come out to the suburbs ;<(.