https://blandinonbroadband.files.wordpress.com/2022/12/infrastructure-grant-pipestone_tcm1045-134164.pdf

Rank: 42
Code:  Yellow
(See Blandin Foundation interactive map)

Pipestone County: stagnant at 80 percent

Pipestone County ranks 42 for broadband access and 84 for digital equity out of 87 counties. They have hovered at 80 percent coverage to broadband of 100 Mbps down and 20 up since 2018. They have 837 households without access to broadband at that speed. Estimates indicate that it will cost $7.8 million to get to ubiquitous broadband in the county.

Pipestone County is working with Hometown Fiber on better broadband plan. Sounds as if they will use that broadband plan to apply for federal and state funding; a smart move considering the amount of funding being invested in the upcoming years. They still have a yellow rating but it feels like that would change quickly.

Broadband Access:

Digital Equity:

Pipestone County ranks 55 out of 87 for digital equity. (See full Digital Equity Profile)

Pipestone County ranks 56 out of 87 for computer ownership. 89.7 percent of homes have a computer of device as compared to statewide ownership of 95.5 percent.

Past grants:

• 2017 – Woodstock Telephone Company – Pipestone County Wireless – GRANT $363,851
• 2015 – MVTV Wireless Middle Mile – Grant award: $808,080

Checklist:

• Find more articles on broadband in Pipestone County (http://tinyurl.com/zhjm4pe)
• 100/20 Mbps ranking: 42 (up 1)
• Has worked with Blandin: no
• Has received a MN Broadband grant: yes
• Household density: 9.3

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)