Rank: 64
Code:  Red
(See Blandin Foundation interactive map)

Watonwan County: hovering around 70 percent

Watonwan County ranks 65 for broadband access and 79 for digital equity out of 87 counties. They have been hovering around 70 percent coverage to broadband of 100 Mbps down and 20 up since we began tracking. They have 1411 households without access to broadband at that speed. Estimates indicate that it will cost $13.1 million to get to ubiquitous broadband in the county.

Watonwan County has been hovering just under 70 percent covered since we began tracking. They have benefited from grants in the past. There isn’t much broadband news coming from the county and that’s why the retain their red code.

Broadband Access:

Digital Equity:

Watonwan County ranks 79 out of 87 for digital equity. (See full Digital Equity Profile)

Watonwan County ranks 46 out of 87 for computer ownership. 90.7 percent of homes have a computer of device as compared to statewide ownership of 95.5 percent.

Past grants:

• 2017 – New Ulm Telecom, Inc. – Hanska A&D FTTP – GRANT $324,894
• 2016 – NEW ULM TELECOM, INC. HANSKA – GRANT: $ 200,397
• 2015 – MVTV Wireless Middle Mile – Grant award: $808,080

Checklist:

• Find more articles on broadband in Watonwan County (http://tinyurl.com/jpnf6xv)
• 100/20 Mbps ranking: 65 (down 1)
• Has worked with Blandin: yes
• Has received a MN Broadband grant: yes
• Household density: 11.1

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)