In 2014, Goodhue County broadband coverage was 67 percent. They were stronger in connecting anchor institutions than local residents. Today, broadband coverage is 87 percent for speeds of 25/3 (Mbps down/up)  and 60 percent for 100/20, the state speed goals for 2026.

Good news, Goodhue has received State Broadband funding in 2015 and 2016 (awarded in 2017) to increase broadband.

Recently, New Ulm Telecom Inc. received $332,328 to serve 15 unserved households, 46 unserved businesses, 25 underserved households, 43 underserved businesses and 1 underserved community anchor institution in the area of Bellechester in Goodhue County.

In 2015, NU-Telecom received $115,934 to build out broadband infrastructure in Goodhue Township.

Goodhue County is also in line to receive $1,104361 in CAF 2 funding to upgrade 1,991 locations. Unfortunately CAF 2 recipients are only required to upgrade to 10/1 access. Many may choose to upgrade to better speeds but there are no requirements.

Numbers:

The Office of Broadband Development released data on broadband covered in fall of 2016, based on information gathered in July 2016. Here’s how Goodhue County ranked:

• Percentage served with 25/3 or better: 87.46
• Percentage served with 100/20 or better: 60.33

Mississippi State University Extension have come up with a ranking system to gauge the digital divide index (DDI) by county. (The lower the number the better – the state average is 40.66.) Here’s how Goodhue ranked:

DDI score of 35.73 out of 100.

More info:

• Find more articles on broadband in Goodhue County. (http://tinyurl.com/z3jwte4)
• Districts: CD 2
  Sentate: 21, 58
  House: 21A, 21B, 58B

I plan to profile each county in Minnesota – tracking broadband access, digital divide and annotated links to news of what’s happening with broadband in the county. I’m keeping it high level because there are 87 counties!