The West Central Tribune reports…

Over the last several weeks, the Broadband and Advanced Technology Committee has been working closely with Vibrant Broadband of the Meeker Cooperative Light and Power Association to design and obtain funding for broadband projects on the east side of the county.

The committee is part of the Kandiyohi County and city of Willmar Economic Development Commission.

“Broadband has been such a priority for us and we’ve struggled to get things moving,” said Kandiyohi County Commissioner Corky Berg.

At the April 19 County Board meeting, the commissioners approved spending $444,700 of the county’s American Rescue Plan Act allocation toward a fiber-to-the-home broadband project in Hawick and around Long Lake. The project would reach 289 properties that are currently underserved or unserved by high-speed broadband. …

The total project is estimated to cost $1,005,000. Roseville and Irving townships will be providing $57,800 in funding for the project, with Vibrant funding the rest.

Since the county’s $8 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds began to arrive, the County Board has planned to dedicate nearly 75% of it to broadband expansion. While a few of the projects need grant approvals to move forward, the county has approved funding to a handful of smaller plans.