The Faribault County Register reports on Bevcomm’s plans for the current round of MN State grants. It is an interesting look at how the sausage is funded…

Bill Eckles, president and CEO of Bevcomm, attended the Faribault County Economic Development Board meeting in Frost on Tuesday, April 16 to update the board on the latest broadband grant news.

“First of all, thank you for the last grant you gave us to help us secure the grant to get fiber optic to the Minnesota Lake area,” Eckles said. “Construction should begin soon on that project.”

He also had news regarding the next grant program.

“We were somewhat surprised when the state opened up another round of broadband grants this soon,” Eckles admitted. “Things are changing at the state which will make things more difficult in the future.”

Eckles went on to explain Bevcomm’s plans.

“They have 550 homes in the rural Blue Earth and Wells area that still do not have fiber,” he said. “It is a $7.1 million project to do the work to serve these homes. This is the last round of grants under the current rules and Bevcomm will be applying for a grant which would cover 25 percent of the cost with Bevcomm covering the remainder.”

Eckles told board members the process of seeking the grant is similar to the previous times Bevcomm applied for grants.

“That is why I’m here to see if the EDA would be willing to contribute a $5,000 grant to Bevcomm. We do this because it gives us points on our application when we show the community supporting us,” Eckles commented. “Of course, if we do not get the grant from the state then we do not get the money from the EDA.”

Eckles also informed the board that Bevcomm could have applied for a state broadband grant which would have covered 50 percent of the cost of the $7.1 million project.

“We have a better chance of getting approved by only asking for a 25 percent grant,” he offered. “The grant will not be awarded until later summer or fall and it is a two-year program to get all of the work done to bring fiber to the homes.”