ABC Newspapers recently provided a thorough update of the ARRA-funded fiber project in Anoka County. A little out of order, here’s the scoop from the article…

The purpose of the broadband project is to lay fiber to connect all government buildings in the county, including the county, cities, school districts and colleges, while providing the backbone for business and industry to connect if they wish to.

The Anoka County Board, on the recommendation of its Information Technology Committee, has directed staff to use a connectivity services template to work with 35 government and quasi-government agencies to gain approval from their governing authority by April 1 this year.

The plan is to connect 145 anchor locations, such as schools, cities, fire stations, hospitals and more in 35 agencies. The County will work with those 35 agencies to create a plan to serve each. Part of the agreement is to require access to each location to place connectivity equipment.

The proposed fees for each “stakeholder” are $75 per month for 100 mg service and $400 per month for 1 gb service, according to Minke and Kevern.

The goal is to get the agreements in place by April 1. With any luck we’ll be looking at a some snow melt by then to help them implement the plan.