MN DEED announces 2020 broadband grant recipients – RDOF impact awards

Today the Office of Broadband announced the recipients latest round of broadband grants. High level details, from the press conference (so math is very high level)…

$20 million in state funding
$45 million total investment for projects (so $25 in matching)
39 projects funded from 64 applications

The RDOF (federal funding) changed the equation for applicants in areas that qualified for RDOF funding. Applicants in RDOF areas were asked to reapply to the State and remove the RDOF areas. (RDOF areas were announced after communities had applied for State grants.) In the end, DEED removed the applications in RDOF areas because they didn’t want to double up on state and federal funding. Frustrating to the applicants because RDOF areas qualify for federal funding, they are not guaranteed funding. (I wrote about RDOF progress before.)

When asked about RDOF, one winning applicant explained that the process to get funding from the State is quite rigorous. And Commissioner Grove noted that the turn around for State projects is faster. They both missed the point – some communities in RDOF areas are concerned at the lack of federal rigor and slower timeline.

The balance of State and Federal funding for broadband came up at a MN House Committee meeting last week. It’s sure to be a hot topic for the Legislature and Broadband Task Force as more federal money comes into the state.

Also brought up today the fact that Governor Walz proposed $50 million for one year funding for broadband, while the House has introduced a bill for $120 million over the biennium. (Senate is expected to introduce $120 million too.)

Congrats to the recipients below. I will be digging in to really look at the list later.

AcenTek – Rural Peterson Exchange FTTH – GRANT $1,492,096 (Fillmore County)

This last mile project will serve 214 unserved households, 18 unserved businesses, 88 unserved farms, and two unserved community anchor institutions as well as 47 underserved households and five underserved businesses in areas of Fillmore and Winona counties. In a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota and Fillmore County EDA, AcenTek will improve these 374 locations’ broadband levels up to 1 Gbps download and 100 Mbps upload, exceeding the 2022 and 2026 state speed goals. These investments will bring the benefits of high speed broadband, increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for the people who live, work, and farm in the rural Peterson area.

Total eligible project cost is $4,973,654
Local match is $3,481,558

Arvig (Tekstar Communications, Inc.) – Lake Osakis, Sauk Lake & Smith Lake Project – GRANT $486,458 (Todd and Douglas counties)

This middle and last mile project will upgrade approximately 230 unserved and 39 underserved locations in Todd and Douglas counties. Through a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota, Arvig (Tekstar) will improve broadband levels up to 1 Gbps download and 1 Gbps upload, exceeding the 2022 and 2026 state speed goals. The area served will realize improved quality of life, including opportunities for business, education, health care, security, and telecommuting options.

Total eligible project cost is $1,389,880
Local match is $903,422

Benton Cooperative Telephone Company – Ramey Phase 2 Project – GRANT $338,011 (Mille Lacs County)

This last mile project will serve 119 unserved locations in the Ramey telephone exchange located in portions of Lakin and Mount Morris townships in Morrison County and a small portion of Dailey and Page townships located in Mille Lacs County. Through a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota, Benton Cooperative Telephone Company will bring service of 250 Mbps download and 250 Mbps upload to homes, businesses and farms in the project area, exceeding the 2022 and 2026 state speed goals.

Total eligible project cost is $965,746
Local match is $627,735

BEVCOMM (Blue Earth Valley Telephone Company, Easton Telephone Company & Cannon Valley Telecom) – Rural Faribault County and Martin County Fiber Expansion Phase 2 Project – GRANT $1,182,818

This last mile project will serve approximately two unserved households, 203 underserved households, 46 underserved businesses, and 181 underserved farms in portions of Faribault and Martin counties. In a funding

partnership with the State of Minnesota, Faribault County EDA and Martin County EDA, BEVCOMM will provide fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) at speeds of up to 1 Gbps symmetrical, exceeding the 2022 and 2026 state speed goals. Broadband access will provide home-based business options, stimulate economic growth, and spark innovation and investment in the project area.

Total eligible project cost is $2,957,043
Local match is $1,774,225

BEVCOMM (Cannon Valley Telecom, Inc.) – Rural Morristown Fiber Expansion Project – GRANT $210,692 (Rice, Waseca, and Steele counties)

This last mile project will serve approximately 14 unserved and 94 underserved locations in portions of Rice, Waseca, and Steele counties. In a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota and Rice County Housing & Redevelopment Authority, BEVCOMM will improve broadband levels to 1 Gbps symmetrical, exceeding the 2022 and 2026 state speed goals. With access to broadband, education, health care, agriculture, energy efficiency, and public safety will improve within the project area.

Total eligible project cost is $526,729
Local match is $316,037

Charter Communications (Spectrum) – Cambridge Hills – GRANT $28,950 (Olmsted County)

This middle and last mile project will serve approximately 41 unserved households in Marion Township in Olmsted County. Through a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota, Charter Communications will bring broadband service levels up to 940 Mbps download and 35 Mbps upload, exceeding the 2022 and 2026 state speed goals. Broadband access will enhance the quality of life for residents in the project area, enabling students to complete their school assignments from home and adults to work from home.

Total eligible project cost is $96,582
Local match is $67,632

Charter Communications (Spectrum) – Getchell Road – GRANT $11,400 (St. Louis County)

This middle and last mile project will provide broadband service to eight unserved households in northern Duluth in St. Louis County. Through a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota, Charter Communications will provide speeds up to 940 Mbps download and 35 Mbps upload, exceeding the State’s 2022 and 2026 speed goals.

Total eligible project cost is $25,360
Local match is $13,960

Charter Communications (Spectrum) – West Lake Carlos – GRANT $24,450 (Douglas County)

This middle and last mile project will serve approximately 42 unserved households on the west side of Lake Carlos in Douglas County. In a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota, Charter Communications will provide broadband service levels up to 940 Mbps download and 35 Mbps upload, exceeding the State’s 2022 and 2026 speed goals and providing quality of life enhancements for the residents of the project area.

Total eligible project cost is $81,661
Local match is $57,211

Consolidated Telephone Company (CTC) – Stark-Ross Lake Area – GRANT $350,805 (Crow Wing County)

This last mile project will serve approximately 180 unserved locations in a portion of Ross Lake Township in Crow Wing County. Through a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota, CTC will provide speeds of 1 Gbps symmetrical (1 Gbps download and upload), exceeding 2022 and 2026 state speed goals. Building this high-speed broadband network will enable students to better access educational resources, families to communicate with loved ones, businesses to grow and thrive, aging residents to live longer and healthier lives, and workers to telecommute and be more productive employees.

Total eligible project cost is $701,610
Local match is $350,805

Crosslake Communications – O’Brien/Goodrich Lake Fiber Project – GRANT $618,970 (Crow Wing County)

This last mile O’Brien/Goodrich Lake Fiber Project will serve approximately 232 unserved households in Crow Wing County. In a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota, Crosslake Communications will offer broadband services at speeds attaining 1 Gbps symmetrical (upstream and downstream), exceeding the State’s 2022 and 2026 speed goals. The use and development of this broadband will provide home-based business options, stimulate economic growth, innovation and investment as well as improve education, health care, energy efficiency, and public safety for the residents of the project area.

Total eligible project cost is $1,547,424
Local match is $928,454

Garden Valley Technologies – Northwest Thief River Falls and Euclid – GRANT (Marshall and Polk counties) $1,640,722

This middle and last mile project will serve 104 unserved and 22 underserved locations in portions of Marshall and Polk counties. The project will bring internet speeds to a synchronous 1 Gbps capability, exceeding the State’s 2022 and 2026 speed goals. Essential to the area’s economic prosperity, broadband will allow area residents to work from home and students to participate in distance learning as well as provide improved access to telemedicine and enable businesses and farms connectivity for financial management, pest management information and up to date weather information.

Total eligible project cost is $3,281,444
Local match is $1,640,722

Gardonville Cooperative Telephone Association – Douglas County – County Road 34 FTTH Project – GRANT $1,551,370

This last mile project will serve 71 unserved and 544 underserved locations in Ida and Carlos townships in Douglas County. Through a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota, Gardonville Cooperative Telephone Association will improve unserved/underserved levels to 1 Gbps download and 1 Gbps upload, exceeding the State’s 2022 and 2026 speed goals. This fiber-to-the-premise (FTTP) project will provide households, businesses and farms with high-speeds needed to work, to learn, to play, and to connect.

Total eligible project cost is $3,447,488
Local match is $1,896,118

Gardonville Cooperative Telephone Association – Douglas County – Hazel Hill Road FTTH Project – GRANT $692,929

This middle and last mile project will serve 212 unserved households, 79 unserved businesses and one unserved farm in Alexandria Township in Douglas County. Through a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota, Gardonville Cooperative Telephone Association will provide speeds of 1Gbps download and 1 Gbps upload, exceeding the State’s 2022 and 2026 speed goals. Providing customers with adequate speeds to perform daily activities, along with improving their functionality, will enhance the quality of life in this community for years to come.

Total eligible project cost is $1,732,322
Local match is $1,039,393

Gardonville Cooperative Telephone Association – Douglas County – Town Hall Road FTTH Project – GRANT $90,251

This last mile project will serve 46 unserved and 3 underserved locations in La Grand Township in Douglas County, including home-based businesses and households with telecommuters. Through a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota, Gardonville Cooperative Telephone Association will improve unserved/underserved levels to 1G per second download and 1G per second upload, exceeding the State’s 2022 and 2026 speed goals. This fiber-to-the-premise (FTTP) project will provide the most dependable, reliable technology today, enhancing lives by keeping families and communities connected.

Total eligible project cost is $225,628
Local match is $135,377

Halstad Telephone Company – North Fisher Expansion – GRANT $619,000 (Polk County)

This last mile project will upgrade approximately 57 unserved and seven underserved locations in portions of Huntsville, Nesbit and Fanny townships in Polk County. In a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota, Halstad Telephone Company will improve broadband with speeds up to 1 Gbps download and 1 Gbps upload, exceeding the State’s 2022 and 2026 speed goals. Families living in the project area will improve their education and health with access to e-learning, e-medicine and other quality-of-life opportunities provided through a robust broadband connection. Farms will be more efficient and reduce their impacts on the environment by utilizing precision farming techniques. Businesses can increase productivity, allow remote working, and become more competitive as they use the improved broadband for operations, marketing, data analytics, and expanded e-commerce opportunities.

Total eligible project cost is $1,376,000
Local match is $757,000

KMTelecom – Rock Dell Northwest Fiber Build – GRANT $385,173 (Olmsted County)

This last mile project will serve approximately 125 unserved locations in the rural Ashland and Vernon townships in Dodge County and Salem Township in Olmsted County. In a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota, KMTelecom will improve unserved levels to 1 Gbps up and 1 Gbps down, exceeding the 2022 and 2026 state speed goals and enabling rural customers to have adequate online access to education, healthcare and work. This network will also allow the farming community to increase their productivity and have access to the latest farming technologies.

Total eligible project cost is $1,283,910
Local match is $898,737

KMTelecom – Rock Dell Southwest Fiber Build – GRANT $404,709 (DOdge and Mower Counties)

This last mile project will serve approximately 96 unserved households, 70 farms and five unserved businesses in rural Vernon Township in Dodge County and Sargeant Township in Mower County. In a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota, KMTelecom will improve speeds to 1 Gbps up and 1 Gbps down, exceeding the 2022 and 2026 state speed goals. This network will bring broadband speeds that are now necessary for rural customers to have access to education, healthcare and work, as well as allow the farming community to increase their productivity and have access to the latest farming technologies.

Total eligible project cost is $1,349,031
Local match is $944,322

Lismore Cooperative Telephone Company (Lismore Broadband) – Iona FTTP – GRANT $219,714 (Murray County)

This last mile and middle mile project will serve approximately 100 unserved locations including 75 households, nine businesses, 13 farms, and three community institutions within the town of Iona. In a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota and Murray County, Lismore will improve speed levels to 1 Gbps up and 1 Gbps down on their fiber network, improving access to education and healthcare services, increasing employment as businesses leverage this network and making telecommuting opportunities accessible. The new network is vital to this rural community and economy.

Total eligible project cost is $732,381
Local match is $512,667

Mediacom Minnesota LLC – Field of Dreams Hermantown Project – GRANT $624,751 (St. Louis County.)

This last mile project will serve approximately 267 underserved households, six underserved businesses, and one underserved community anchor institution in Hermantown in St. Louis County. In a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota and City of Hermantown, Mediacom will improve broadband levels to 1 Gbps download and 50 Mbps upload, exceeding the State’s 2022 and 2026 speed goals. This investment will improve quality of life and business development opportunities for the project area.

Total eligible project cost is $1,249,503
Local match is $624,752

Mediacom Minnesota LLC – Minnestrista Project – GRANT $189,752 (Hennepin County)

This last mile project will serve 80 unserved households in Minnestrista in Hennepin County. Through a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota, Mediacom will provide speeds of 1 Gbps download and 50 Mbps upload, exceeding the State’s 2022 and 2026 speed goals. By bringing broadband to this unserved area, the project will enhance quality of life and provide economic opportunities.

Total eligible project cost is $421,673
Local match is $231,921

Meeker Cooperative Light & Power Association (Vibrant Broadband) – Lake Koronis – GRANT $41,927 (Meeker County)

This last mile project will serve approximately 28 unserved and seven underserved locations in Union Grove Township in Meeker County. In a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota, Meeker Cooperative will improve speed levels to 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload, meeting or exceeding Minnesota’s 2022 and 2026 state speed goals. Building a fiber-to-the-premise (FTTP) high-speed broadband services network will provide

households, businesses and farms in the project area with access to e-learning, telemedicine, precision agriculture tools, as well as other critical applications.

Total eligible project cost is $139,757
Local match is $97,830

MiBroadband, LLC – Rural Preston FTTP – GRANT $1,173,330 (Fillmore County)

The Rural Preston fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) project will serve 231 unserved and 26 underserved locations in the rural portions of southern Fillmore County. In a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota, City of Preston and Fillmore County, MiBroadband will improve speeds to 1 Gbps down and 1 Gbps upload on a fiber network, exceeding the State’s 2022 and 2026 speed goals. Building a FTTP 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.

Total eligible project cost is $3,370,372
Local match is $2,197,042

Midco (Midcontinent Communications) – Scandia – GRANT $78,824 (Washington County)

This last mile project will serve 78 underserved households and one underserved business in remote neighborhoods of Scandia in Washington County. In a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota and City of Scandia, Midco will improve broadband service levels to symmetrical 5 Gbps speeds, exceeding the State’s 2022 and 2026 speed goals. By providing high-speed broadband services in the Scandia area, this project improves access to critical school e-learning and telehealth and will stimulate a more robust local economy.

Total eligible project cost is $434,144
Local match is $355,320

Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative (MLEC) – Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative Phase 4 FTTH – GRANT $198,607 (Aitkin County)

This fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) project will serve 80 unserved and five underserved locations along the southeast side of Farm Island Lake in Aitkin County. Through a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota, MLEC will bring 1 Gbps speeds to 84 homes and one business on the fiber route, exceeding the State’s 2022 and 2026 speed goals. With access to a high-quality dependable communications infrastructure, residents in the project area will realize expanded educational, economic and healthcare opportunities.

Total eligible project cost is $441,350
Local match is $242,743

Minnesota Valley Telephone Company (MVTC) – Rural Franklin Fiber Project – GRANT $226,800 (Redwood, Renville and Brown counties)

This middle and last mile project will serve approximately 45 unserved locations in the City of Franklin and the townships of Sherman, Eden, Camp and Birch Cooley in Redwood, Renville and Brown counties. In a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota, Minnesota Valley Telephone Company will offer broadband services at 1 Gbps symmetrical (upstream and downstream), promoting rural economic development within the project area. The fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) project will transform these unserved areas into highly productive rural communities, opening doors to advancements such as precision agriculture, and will empower the area by providing the opportunity to be proficient users of broadband technology.

Total eligible project cost is $648,000
Local match is $421,200

Nuvera Communications, Inc. – Goodhue Welch FTTP – GRANT $340,790 (Goodhue County)

This last mile project south of Welch will serve 100 unserved and 15 underserved locations in Goodhue County. In a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota, Nuvera Communications, Inc. will bring broadband service levels to 1 Gbps download and 1 Gbps upload, exceeding the State’s 2022 and 2026 speed goals. This fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network will enable households, businesses and farms in the project area to utilize new technology and tools to grow and enhance their community.

Total eligible project cost is $973,686
Local match is $632,896

Nuvera Communications, Inc. – Goodhue West FTTP – GRANT $532,232 (Goodhue & Wabasha Counties)

This last mile project will serve 148 unserved and two underserved locations in Goodhue, Zumbrota, Minneola, and Belle Creek townships in Goodhue County and Chester Township in Wabasha County. In a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota, Nuvera Communications, Inc. will bring broadband service levels to 1 Gbps download and 1 Gbps upload, exceeding the State’s 2022 and 2026 speed goals. The reliable, affordable, high quality broadband service will enable residents in the project area to have increased access to health care and education, and farms and business will have the technology to enhance their operations.

Total eligible project cost is $1,520,662
Local match is $988,430

Nuvera Communications, Inc. – Hutchinson SE FTTP – GRANT $169,369 (McLeod County)

This last mile project will serve 42 unserved and five underserved locations in the Hutchinson area of McLeod County. In a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota, Nuvera Communications, Inc. will bring broadband service levels to 1 Gbps download and 1 Gbps upload, exceeding the State’s 2022 and 2026 speed goals. This fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network will provide reliable, affordable, high quality broadband to rural farms, businesses, and homes in the project area.

Total eligible project cost is $423,423
Local match is $254,054

Nuvera Communications, Inc. – New Ulm HDT 202 FTTP – GRANT $444,386 (Nicollet County)

This last mile project north of New Ulm will serve approximately 80 unserved and 67 underserved locations in Nicollet County. In a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota, Nuvera Communications, Inc. will bring broadband service levels to 1 Gbps download and 1 Gbps upload, exceeding the State’s 2022 and 2026 speed goals. This fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network will provide reliable, affordable, high quality broadband to rural farms, businesses, and homes, enabling them to thrive in a modern world.

Total eligible project cost is $1,269,675
Local match is $825,289

Nuvera Communications, Inc. – Webster Rural FTTP – GRANT $431,260 (Rice, Dakota & Scott Counties)

This last mile project will serve 103 unserved and 178 underserved locations in Wheatland and Webster townships in Rice County, Euraka and Greenvale townships in Dakota County, and New Market and Cedar Lake townships in Scott County. In a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota, Nuvera Communications, Inc. will bring broadband service levels to 1 Gbps download and 1 Gbps upload, exceeding the State’s 2022 and 2026 speed goals. The reliable, affordable, high quality broadband service will enable residents in the project area to have increased access to health care and education, and farms and business will have the technology to enhance their operations.

Total eligible project cost is $1,232,171
Local match is $800,911

Paul Bunyan Communications – City of Cook GigaZone Fiber – GRANT $311,254 (St. Louis County)

This last mile project will improve high-speed broadband for 57 unserved and 254 underserved locations in the community of Cook in St. Louis County. In a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota and City of Cook, Paul Bunyan Communications will improve broadband service levels up to 1 Gbps download and 1 Gbps upload, exceeding the 2022 and 2026 state speed goals for homes, businesses, and community facilities in the project area. The project will enable businesses to take advantage of online resources, including training, marketing, and business support services. In addition, it will increase quality of life and economic opportunity for all residents by providing new avenues to pursue education, employment, healthcare, social life, and entertainment.

Total eligible project cost is $691,675
Local match is $380,421

Runestone Telecom Association – Villard – GRANT $1,463,259 (Pope County)

This last mile project will serve 496 unserved households, 36 unserved businesses, nine unserved farms, and five unserved community anchor institutions in northeast Pope County. In a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota and Pope County, Runestone Telecom will bring broadband service levels up to 1 Gbps download and up to 1 Gbps upload, exceeding the 2022 and 2026 state speed goals. This fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) project will increase economic development and facilitate telemedicine and distance education options not only in the era of COVID-19, but beyond.

Total eligible project cost is $4,180,741
Local match is $2,717,482

Savage Communications Inc. (SCI) – Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe (Onamia) Broadband Expansion – GRANT $70,261 (Mille Lacs County)

This last mile fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) project will serve 102 unserved households within the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Reservation in Mille Lacs County. In a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota and Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, SCI Broadband will bring service levels of 1 Gbps down and 20 Mbps upload, exceeding the 2022 and 2026 state speed goals. SCI will leverage its existing middle mile infrastructure to deploy a last mile fiber solution, improving access to education, telemedicine, telecommuting, and economic development for the project area.

Total eligible project cost is $140,522
Local match is $70,261

Sytek Communications – Morrison/Todd/Stearns County FTTP Project – GRANT $1,048,668 (Southwest Morrison, Southeastern Todd and Northeastern Stearns counties)

This last mile project will bring service to 130 locations in Southwest Morrison, Southeastern Todd and Northeastern Stearns counties. Through a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota, Sytek Communications will extend fiber-optic lines to some of the most rural parts of Minnesota at service levels up to 1 Gbps download and 1 Gbps upload, exceeding the 2022 and 2026 state speed goals. As a result of this project, families will have the tools they need to earn a living, educate their children and access needed medical care.

Total eligible project cost is $2,330,373
Local match is $1,281,705

West Central Telephone Association – Rural Staples Phase 2 – GRANT $465,050 (Wadena and Cass counties)

This last mile project will serve 56 unserved locations in extremely rural areas of Wadena and Cass counties. In a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota, Sourcewell and Region 5, WCTA will bring service levels of 1 Gbps download and 1 Gbps upload, exceeding Minnesota’s 2022 and 2026 state speed goals. Building a fiber-to-the-premise (FTTP) network provides advanced, high-speed broadband services to households, businesses and farms in the project area, improving their access to e-learning, telehealth, the latest precision agriculture tools, and other applications that allow businesses to operate remotely and stimulate the local economy.

Total eligible project cost is $1,033,445
Local match is $568,395

Wikstrom Telephone Co. Inc. – Wiktel NW MN Broadband 2020 – GRANT $490,997 (Kittson, Marshall and Polk counties)

The last mile project will serve 153 unserved locations in sparsely populated areas in Kittson, Marshall and Polk counties. In a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota, Wikstrom Telephone will bring broadband speeds up to 1 Gbps download and 1 Gbps upload, exceeding the 2022 and 2026 state speed goals. This fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network will provide service to an area with only 1.5 subscribers per route mile of cable and is key to economic development, successful e-learning for children, and home health care monitoring in this remote area.

Total eligible project cost is $1,091,104
Local match is $600,107

Winnebago Cooperative Telecom Association – SE Faribault/W Freeborn County FTTP – GRANT $953,842 (Southeastern Faribault and Western Freeborn counties)

This last-mile fiber optic project will bring service to 319 unserved locations, including 289 homes, 16 businesses, 11 farms, and three community anchor institutions in the townships of Clark, Foster, Kiester, Seely, Alden, Carlston, Manchester, Mansfield, and Pickerel Lake located in Southeastern Faribault and Western Freeborn counties. In a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota, Winnebago Cooperative Telephone Association (WCTA) will bring 1 Gbps download and 1 Gbps upload service capabilities to this very rural part of southern Minnesota, exceeding the 2022 and 2026 state speed goals. As a result of this project, those served will have access to the broadband they need to adapt to the rapidly changing needs of business, employment, education, and social applications.

Total eligible project cost is $3,179,381
Local match is $2,225,539

Winthrop Telephone Company, Inc. – Bismarck & Transit Township FTTP Project – GRANT $716,000 (Sibley and McLeod counties)

This last mile project will serve 148 unserved and six underserved locations, including homes, businesses and farms, in Bismarck, Transit and Round Grove townships in Sibley and McLeod counties. Through a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota, Winthrop Telephone Company will offer broadband services at 1 Gbps symmetrical (upstream and downstream), exceeding the 2022 and 2026 state speed goals. This project will promote rural economic development and transform these unserved areas into highly-productive rural communities.

Total eligible project cost is $1,790,000
Local match is $1,074,000

Woodstock Telephone Company – Lynd FTTP – GRANT $325,548 (Lyon County)

This middle and last mile project will serve 203 underserved households, three underserved businesses and three underserved anchor institutions in the City of Lynd in Lyon County. In a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota, Woodstock Telephone Company will improve service levels to 1 Gbps down and 1 Gbps upload, exceeding the 2022 and 2026 state speed goals. The network will enable new business and employment in the community, increase educational opportunities and resources, provide increased access to health care resources and increase overall quality of life in the project area.

Total eligible project cost is $1,085,154
Local match is $759,606