Country Messenger provides an update on the state of broadband in Scandia…

Since 2020, Scandia’s Internet Action Committee has been working with the goal of bringing high speed broadband to all of Scandia within five years

Between 2020 and 2021, 426 homes were added and in 2021, 171 homes were added.

When the 2022 project is complete, the three-year total will be approximately 586 homes will have access to high-speed internet. This represents 74 percent coverage.

For 2023 Scandia has allocated $432,000 in local funding for another expansion and requested MidCo provide a plan for the city’s approval, including additional outside grant money where possible.

More is planned…

According to Wilmers, “Washington County approved a new grant through the federally funded American Rescue Plan (ARPA) for MidCo to connect an additional 112 homes around Big Marine Lake.”

Total project cost is $745,000, with $280,000 from MidCo, $372,500 from Washington County and $92,500 from Scandia.

“Construction will be spread over two years, starting in 2023 with completion by the end of 2024. The project will deploy 44,000 feet of fiber necessitating the multiyear construction schedule,” said Wilmers.

And in nearby Forest Lake too…

In addition to the high-speed internet expansion projects in Scandia, MidCo also received a Minnesota Broadband grant that will serve 323 homes in Forest Lake in the amount of $975,131.

MidCo received the award from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) through department’s Border-to-Border Development Grant program.