The City of Harris is the lone applicant located in Chisago County to have won a grant from almost $100 million awarded for enhancing Minnesota broadband. The Governor announced the grant winners December 8.
There are 61 projects in 48 counties being awarded the $99.6 million.
Harris is being awarded $465,814.
Harris will partner with CenturyLink’s field contractor to enhance Internet fiber-to-premises service for 119 “unserved” locations and another 66 “under served” spots. There is already a main “backbone” along the I-35 corridor ideally situated for Harris to connect to. The enhanced fiber is expected to provided 100 up and 100 down service to meet speed and capacity standards into the future.
Local funding is lining up…
Harris Council is still finalizing the Internet enhancement project finances; but Mayor Carlson said the plan is to request funds out of the Chisago County broadband enhancement program to help cover payments due relatively quickly. (Story on County Internet Infrastructure Report was in Press December 8.)
There are multiple options for financing the Internet remaining costs that Harris is consulting on. City officials need to discuss how to proceed, including if customers are assessed for what’s remaining or if the city adopts a taxing district or if another process is utilized, Carlson explained.
Blandin on Broadband 