I am doing the annual look at broadband in each county – based on maps from the Office of Broadband Development and news gathered from the last year.

Winona County broadband ranking has bumped up from 17 to 15. The coverage for 25/3 access is the same as 100/20; they are planning for the future, they just need more expansion.

Last March, Chris Mitchell of Institute for Local Self Reliance had Gary Evans of HBC on his podcast. It is an interesting history of broadband in Winona. A really nice case study.

Broadband is always a hot topic around Winona. They have interesting digital inclusion programs through local provider Project FINE, such as a coding class for kids. The opposite end of digital inclusion, Red Wing Ignite continues to work with kids, businesses and entrepreneurs and recently joined the Growing Smart Gigabit Communities program.

Winona has been the beneficiary of state grants. Mediacom has announced upgrades to the Gig program in Winona, specifically in Dakota and St. Charles City.

Info on Access:

The speeds reflect the Minnesota speed goals:

• 25 Mbps down and 3 up by 2022
• 100 Mbps down and 20 up by 2026

Current ranking for 100/20 access: 15

• Winona has worked with the Blandin Foundation.
• Find more articles on broadband in Winona County (http://tinyurl.com/hqsckxg)
• There is a matrix of Minnesota broadband adoption projects.
• Districts: CD 7
  Senate: 21, 28
  House: 21B, 28A