Post Bulletin reports on Border to Border Broadband grant projects that will serve Fillmore, Dodge, Goodhue, Wabasha and Winona Counties…

Topping the list of locally funded projects is one that would bring high-speed internet access to rural Lanesboro. AcenTek was awarded nearly $1.8 million in grant funding for the $4.7 million project.

“We’re very, very excited to get one of the grants,” said AcenTek Chief Financial Officer Darren Moser.

The project calls for extending fiber-optic broadband to 431 households and 42 businesses in the Lanesboro area, including Whalan, Carrolton Township and Holt Township. Moser said absent the state dollars, it would be difficult for the Houston-based company to expand ultra high-speed internet to this rural area.

“Without this state funding and the state support in this, it becomes essentially challenging to make a business case to make it happen,” Moser said.

Other area projects funded include $764,663 to KMTelecom to expand high-speed internet access in rural Mantorville, $332,328 to New Ulm Telecom Inc. to boost access in Goodhue and Bellechester, $317,761 to New Ulm Telecom Inc. to increase access in Mazeppa and $416,640 to Winona County for broadband in the Pickwick area.