According to the Daily Globe…
Commissioner Gene Metz stepped away from his seat on the Nobles County board Tuesday morning to wear his second hat — that of vice president of Lismore Cooperative Telephone Co. (LCTC) — to ask the board to financially support the completion of Nobles County’s broadband project, to the tune of nearly $1 million.
After some discussion, it passed on a 4-0 vote with Metz abstaining.
Earlier this year, LCTC was awarded a $2.94 million grant from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, but another $1 million in anticipated grant funding fell through. In need of additional funding to complete the project, representatives from the cooperative appeared before commissioners in April seeking a $3 million loan. Discussion later turned to bonding for the money.
The article details the reasons why the commissioners decided to support the work of the cooperative…
“If you feel strongly enough, it’s economic development for the county,” he added.
Commissioner Justin Ahlers said he wanted to go on record saying the broadband project is essentially “building a library.”
“We’re not investing in bricks and mortar, but it’s impacting everyone in the county,” Ahlers said. “Internet is the way it is now. I can’t see us going backwards.”
Blandin on Broadband 
A tip of the hat to the Nobles County Board members. Such great leadership. A loan to an area co-op is a loan to community members for an incredibly important economic development asset!