Rank: 31
Code: Yellow
(See Blandin Foundation interactive map)
Wright County: stalled at 80 percent coverage
Wright County is home to Monticello, one of the much-discussed municipal broadband networks. Monticello is well served but they county is mixed but working on it. A recent Wright County Broadband Survey revealed that 86 percent want better broadband. They have also been working to get local residents take a speed test to gauge need in the area.
A recent report from the Institute for Local Self Reliance looked at broadband in Monticello and Buffalo in Wright County. Monticello was an early municipal network that overcame many challenges but still provides services while Buffalo has been slowly expanding municipally owned fiber.
There may be opportunities for Wright to invest in better broadband. Projected allocation of American Recovery Project ARP funds in Benton is $7,930,170; broadband is one possible use.
Because Wright County is engaged, they may find a way to use the ARP funding to invest in broadband; that would help get closer to ubiquitous broadband. Wright County is a code yellow community.
Broadband Access:
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
| 100/20 (2026 goal) | 86.15 | 82.51 | 81.02 | 80.61 | 29.26 |
| 25/3 (2022 goal) | 92.71 | 89.69 | 91.07 | 87.89 | 81.17 |
| 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% |
| Wright | 92.2 | 83.1 | 4.5 | 64.2 |
Past grant:
- 2017 – Midco (Midcontinent Communications) – Annandale East – GRANT $537,050
- Meeker Coop. Light & Power Assoc. (Vibrant Broadband) – Lake Louisa/Lake Marie Project – GRANT $297,940
Checklist:
- Find more article on Wright County https://blandinonbroadband.org/?s=%22wright+county%22&submit=Search
- 100/20 Mbps ranking: 31 (up 1)
- Has worked with Blandin: yes
- Has received a MN Broadband grant: yes
- Household density: 77.52
Details:
- Districts: CD 6
Senate: 15, 18, 29, 30
House: 15B, 18A, 29A, 29B, 30A, 30B - 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)
Blandin on Broadband 