The West Central Tribune reports…

While Kandiyohi County hasn’t heard officially from the National Telecommunication and Information Administration, a news release sent out on Feb. 25 has left supporters of the county’s broadband expansion efforts disappointed.

“It’s not good news,” said County Commissioner Corky Berg at Tuesday’s Kandiyohi County Board meeting.

According to the news release, Kandiyohi County was not a recipient of the 13 grants awarded by the federal agency. The National Telecommunication and Information Administration gave out $277 million to connect more than 133,000 households to high-speed broadband in 12 states and one territory. The money for the grants had been provided through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

They are hopeful for state funding…

While that federal grant has turned out to be a bust, there are still grant opportunities out there. Kandiyohi County is awaiting word on when the application window will open for the next round of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Border to Border broadband grants.

And are open to other…

Then there is the newest project opportunity.

Meeker Cooperative Light and Power Association’s Vibrant Broadband is in the process of applying for a United States Department of Agriculture ReConnect broadband grant, which would help fund a project that will bring high-speed fiber broadband to portions of nine townships in Meeker County and nine townships in eastern Kandiyohi County.

Good for Kandiyohi for staying on top of the funding options. With no many funding streams coming in for broadband, the counties that are prepared will improve their chances.