Rank: 40
Code: Yellow
(See Blandin Foundation interactive map)

Blue Earth County: Middle of the pack

Blue Earth County saw a big leap in access in 2019. Since then they have been stagnant, although they saw a small increase this year, getting them over 80 percent.

In 2020, they unveiled a feasibility study that said it could cost more than $35 million to install 1,067 miles of fiber to connect all rural areas of Blue Earth County, excluding the Mankato area and larger cities such as Lake Crystal and Madison Lake. A combination of wireless networks and fiber, about 161 miles in total, would cost about $11 million to install.

That feasibility study gives them a blueprint of plans to use to apply for federal funding being made available post- pandemic, including the Capital Project Funding and American Rescue Plan. Projection for allocation of ARP funds in Blue Earth is $13,120,883; broadband is one possible use. Working on the feasibility indicates a renewed community focus on broadband. That is why their ranking is bumped from red to yellow.

Broadband Access:

Computer Access:

Past Grants:

none

Checklist:

• Find more articles on broadband in Blue Earth County. (http://tinyurl.com/j5pe9kr)
• 100/20 Mbps ranking: 40 (up 2)
• Has worked with Blandin: yes
• Has received a MN Broadband grant: yes
• Household density: 34.24

Details:

• Districts: CD 1
  Senate: 19
  House: 19A, 19B, 23B, 23B
• Find your reps

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. I’m looking at progress toward the 2022 (25 Mbps down and 3 Mbps up) and 2026 (100 Mbps down and 20 Mbps up) and will code each:

• Red (yikes)
• Yellow (warning)
• Green (good shape)