Mankato Free Press posts a positive editorial on the MN Broadband grants, especially those in Blue Earth, Faribault, Waseca Brown and Cottonwood counties.

Thumbs up to more counties in south-central Minnesota getting broadband access.

The projects are thanks to state funding from the Legislature and Gov. Tim Walz.

Blue Earth, Faribault, Waseca Brown and Cottonwood counties’ businesses are among area recipients of more than $50 million in grants to expand broadband access in the state.

The grants will expand broadband access to an estimated 8,900 homes and businesses.

Twenty-four broadband expansion projects will receive grants from the Department of Employment and Economic Development’s Office of Broadband Development.

Easton Telephone Company in Blue Earth and Faribault counties received $435,838 and Hanson Communications in Brown and Cottonwood counties received $395,138 from the Border-to-Border program. Bevcomm Inc. in Waseca County received $4,385,444 from the Low Population Density program.

Slowly, but steadily the state’s rural areas have seen improved broadband access through federal, state and local funding.