Sorry – since posting I have heard that the Pioneer Press rescinded their article – apparently there was a misunderstanding during a board meeting. So I’m rescinding this post – but leaving it up to make it easier to follow for those, like me, who heard the first chapter but not the second.

Looks like good news for broadband on the Iron Range, according to the St Paul Pioneer Press…

Efforts to bring fiber-optic cable for broadband high-speed Internet to rural areas of the Iron Range will get a boost today from the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board.

The IRRRB is set to approve a $1.5 million grant to White Township, part of a $4.8 million project by Northeast Service Cooperative and Frontier Communications to expand fiber-optic services across remote parts of the region.

The project will result in about 97 miles of new cable directly serving 23 town halls and fire halls, and will extend high-speed service to 2,262 Frontier subscribers in 13 townships.

A total of 9,400 “underserved households” will have the opportunity to hook up to Internet service offering speeds exceeding the state’s goal as it seeks to bring broadband to residents in all regions.

The state Department of Employment and Economic Development is adding $2.4 million for the effort, with Frontier kicking in $750,000 and Northeast Service Cooperative $150,000.