Rank: 43
Code: Yellow
(See Blandin Foundation interactive map)

Chippewa County: stagnant access just over 80 percent

Chippewa County ranks 43 for broadband access and 54 for digital equity out of 87 counties. Chippewa County’s percent coverage to broadband of 100 Mbps down and 20 up decreased to 80 percent (down from 82). They have 1094 households without access to broadband at that speed. Estimates indicate that it will cost $10.2 million to get to ubiquitous broadband in the county.

Chippewa will benefit from a border to border grant announced in December 2022:

• Farmers Mutual Telephone Company, $4,728,186.00

The Farmers Mutual Telephone project full budget is $10 million, which is the estimated amount it would take to deploy ubiquitous broadband in the county – however the proposed network will reach 636 unique locations. But that’s more than half of locations they need to cover.

Chippewa County is getting a yellow code, with a lean toward green based on the grant and expressed interest from Farmers Mutual Telephone. An engaged provider can make all of the difference.

Broadband Access:

Digital Equity:

Chippewa County ranks 54 out of 87 for digital equity. (See full Digital Equity Profile)

Chippewa County ranks 57 out of 87 for computer ownership. 89.4 percent of homes have a computer of device as compared to statewide ownership of 95.5 percent.

Past grants:

• 2015 – MVTV Wireless Middle Mile, Grant award: $808,080

Checklist:

• Find more articles on broadband in Chippewa County. (http://tinyurl.com/htwz58a)
• 100/20 Mbps ranking: 43 (down 6)
• Has worked with Blandin: yes
• Has received a MN Broadband grant: yes
• Household density: 9.6

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)