The Sherburne Patriot reports…

The Sherburne County Board last week gave its commitment to support a new broadband project.

The company Midco is planning a project that would serve 240 addresses in Big Lake Twp. Midco is applying to the Dept. of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) for a Border to Border grant to fund the project and is asking the county to be a financial partner in the project.

Assistant Administrator Dan Weber told the board that Midco is not seeking new funding from the county, but would like to re-allocate ARPA money that was not used on their last project.

“They had an Orrock project that was approved a few years ago that came in about $35,000 under budget,” said Weber.

Midco wants to use that savings for the Big Lake project.

“They would like to re-allocate $35,000 to that project. And that would only be if DEED awards the Border to Border grant,” he said. “So at his time they are only looking for a commitment letter that we would be willing to partner in that project if necessary.”

The board gave its approval. They also approved an additional $22,473.60 in ARPA spending to cover administration and ARPA audit costs.