Thanks to Bruce Ponerantz who just sent me an article from the Minneapolis Star Tribune (Scott County betting on fiber’s future).

Apparently Scott County is creating a 94-mile fiber-optic ring. It will be the largest government-owned high-speed network in the state and one of the largest in the nation. It is financed and owned by a government.
The immediate goal is to connect the police departments, schools, libraries and government agencies. With hopes to connecting residents and businesses with help from private partners.

The system cost $3.5 million but is expected to save $500,000 a year by eliminating payments for Internet connection – and that’s just to start. It is also expected to boost economic development.