The Fergus Falls Daily Journal reports…

Park Region’s fiber groundbreaking ceremony celebrated the launch of their 2023 Fergus Falls Area Fiber Grant Project.

To kick off the construction of this project, Park Region hosted the ceremony on May 11.

Key partners attended the event, including officials with the State of Minnesota, Otter Tail County and local townships. These collaborative efforts will be monumental for Park Region to expand broadband access in OTC.

More info on the project…

Park Region and partners in 2022 submitted a grant application totaling $8.4 million to expand broadband services around the Fergus Falls area. The infrastructure will span over 270 route miles of fiber and bring with it state-of-the-art technology with speeds up to one gigabits per second.

“This project is over $8 million, and I think it is really important to note that yes, the state has over $3 million invested in you all as a community and organization and partnerships have put in over $5 million,” said Bree Maki, Minnesota’s Office of Broadband Development executive director. “I think that is really what this program really stands to help support that local knowledge and contribution and importance.”

The project is expected to take two years to complete. Once the new infrastructure is fully in place and operational it is expected to boost the region’s economic growth, along with online education, remote working, telehealth services and provide new opportunities for business growth to thrive.