More info on two of the broadband grant projects from The Marshall Independent…

Balaton and Milroy are among the 39 Border-to-Border Broadband Grant recipients in Greater Minnesota announced by Lt. Gov. Tina Smith and the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) on Tuesday.

With more info on both projects. More info on Balaton in Lyon County…

Through the Woodstock Telephone Company, Balaton will benefit from a $413,009 state grant, combined with a local match of just over $1 million. The last mile project will serve 305 underserved households, 28 underserved businesses and six underserved community anchor institutions in the city of Balaton.

In its partnership with the state, Woodstock will improve broadband service levels to 1 Gbps down and 1 Gbps up, exceeding the 2026 state speed goal.

“As we think about the tools in our toolbox in regards to strong economic development, broadband is one of those tools to help level the playing field,” Hardy said. “This program has really done some significant investments throughout the state and we are very, very excited about this new round of grant projects.”

According to Minnesota DEED, Woodstock had received many requests for service in the city of Balaton and is already providing service to a few businesses. Building a fiber to the premise network will improve access to education and healthcare services. It will also increase employment as businesses leverage this new network and telecommuting opportunities become accessible, strengthening and expanding rural community and economic vitality.”

And Milroy in Redwood County…

Through Minnesota Valley Telephone Company, Inc. (MVTC), the community of Milroy is the beneficiary of $742,365 in state grant money. With a local match of nearly $1.2 million, the last mile project will serve 256 unserved households and 22 unserved businesses in the Milroy Broadband Project located in both Redwood and Lyon counties in southwest Minnesota. MVTC plans to improve broadband service levels to 1 Gbps down and 1 Gbps up, which will help promote rural economic development and transform — through increased opportunity for home-based business options — education, health care, energy efficiency and public safety.

With the exception of Rock County, the large majority of counties in southwest Minnesota are considered to be unserved areas, which means there is no access to wireline broadband of at least 25M/3M.