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\u201cWe might push a gig, but we have plans to heavily promote 10 Mbps and 20 Mbps services,\u201d states Bob Hance, President and CEO of Midwest Energy Cooperative. He has learned that communities\u2019 diverse needs benefit from flexible approaches to technology.\n\nDespite the hype and political pressure to deliver a gig everywhere, co-ops have to be realistic with the technology they invest in because members expect the their management teams to spend customers\u2019 money wisely. Co-ops are finding that flexibility is the watchword when determining broadband tech strategy.\n\nSeveral members of Midwest\u2019s management team met with Gigabit Nation to talk about the team\u2019s various perspectives on the broadband lessons they have learned.\nFor now, being just being connected to faster broadband is members\u2019 biggest reward;As the co-op upgrades to smart grid, businesses and residents are learning they need online energy management capabilities;Some municipalities are hesitant to get onboard with broadband and will wait for co-ops to take the lead; andCo-ops give communities a path around Michigan\u2019s muni broadband restrictions.\nCraig Settles new book, Building the Gigabit City, Vol. 2, focuses attention to the role of co-ops in the broadband movement. Midwest is interveiwed in the book.