Rank: 47
Code: Red
(See Blandin Foundation interactive map)
Wilkin County: going the wrong way – need to focus
Broadband access in Wilkin County has actually decreased over the years. The access and ranking is decreasing. But at least the local policymakers seem to recognize the need for broadband. And the influx of federal money could present new opportunities.
Projected allocation of American Recovery Project ARP funds in Wilkin is $1,203,809; broadband is one possible use.
Wilkin County has the opportunity to invest in broadband with federal funding. That would help them reach ubiquitous broadband. They are a code red community.
Broadband Access:
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
| 100/20 (2026 goal) | 77.06 | 77.06 | 80.84 | 82.08 | 80.84 |
| 25/3 (2022 goal) | 83.01 | 83.1 | 88.01 | 86.53 | 80.84 |
| County | Households with computer | …with desktop or laptop | …with ONLY smartphone | …with a tablet et al |
| State of MN | 93.6% | 80.6% | 7.7% | 63.8% |
| Wilkin | 86 | 76.1 | 4.2 | 57.7 |
Past grant:
- 2017 – Advantenon – Rural Grant, Stevens and Wilkin Counties – Grant $316,554
Checklist:
- Find more articles on broadband in Wilkin County (http://tinyurl.com/zh64v29)
- 100/20 Mbps ranking: 47
- Has worked with Blandin: no
- Has received a MN Broadband grant: yes
- Household density: 3.26
Details:
- Districts: CD 7
Senate: 12
House: 12A - 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)
