[Note: in November 1996 membership was 12,000 with 5,000 active users (Tumanis, 1996). If all 12,000 users lived in Calhoun County, this would mean a participation rate of 8.82%.]
GLFN is run by Great Lakes Free-Net Incorporated, via a board of directors. (DePompolo, Apr. 25) It "is supported by grants and donations from foundations, business and private individuals." (Tumanis, 1994)
"Assisting in the economic development of our community" is one of the beliefs and values expressed in the Strategic Plan (GLFN). This means that unlike the other two Free-Nets I studied, GLFN allows local businesses to advertise, but it encourages them to cooperate rather than compete.
Free access to GLFN is provided by a number of sites, including Willard Library and Battle Creek Area Math & Science Center. (Myers)
[As of November 1996, GLFN had set up a modem pool concentrator so that users in "the far part of the county ... can access without a long distance charge." Complete computer systems were donated "to the Urban League and to the Washington Heights UMC Church for minority use." (Tumanis, 1996)]
Unfortunately, I did not have time to do any further research on Calhoun County.