Houston County commissioners approved a potential $75,000 revolving loan on August 13, one that could help extend broadband coverage to nearly 900 local customers. If a “Border to Border” grant from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is awarded to telecommunications provider Acentek, the company would receive the “community partnership” funds through the county’s EDA for three years at 0% interest.
According to EDA reports, AcenTek would provide $6,365,000 towards the expansion, with DEED adding $2,760,000. The closing date for the grant application is September 13, with the award expected to take place during the last quarter of 2019.
If the project gets DEED approval, around 800 residences, businesses, and farms in the rural Houston telephone exchange, plus 60-70 Hokah residents would get fiber hookups for broadband.
Blandin on Broadband
News and information on broadband use, policy, and trends
Blandin on Broadband 
Very impressive! The only thing I can quibble with is that the grant “award is expected to take place in the last quarter of 2019.” Nothing should ever be taken for granted in these grant applications, and I expect there to be a number of quality applications submitted for the $20 million in grant funds available for fiscal year 2020 (and another $20 million in FY 2121). Make a strong grant application, and the application will speak for itself. But never “expect” a grant award, because that is out of the applicant’s control.
JIm – sorry I’m slow on this one. Travel! I couldn’t agree more. Last quarter of 2019 seems pretty optimistic.