Waseca County wants to continue fulfilling a need in the area by maximizing the opportunity to provide broadband to many individuals and businesses in more rural locations.
The county received funding from the state for broadband as part of Minnesota’s Office of Broadband Development’s ninth round of grant awards in March. And, the county plans on applying for the office’s 10th round of awards with a new resolution passed at the latest commissioners’ meeting.
Waseca County Administrator Michael Johnson brought the resolution to the Board of Commissioners at its special meeting April 30. The resolution states that, if the county is awarded in the round 10 grant awards, the county is committing to up to $165,000 of county match to build a minimum of 165 homes and businesses.
The board agreed on a similar resolution in October for the ninth round of grant awards. The board took action with a motion by Commissioner De Malterer and a second by Commissioner Brad Milbrath. The county will now pass the resolution to Bevcomm Inc. as part of the application process.
The county has been working with Bevcomm to provide rural areas with high-speed internet. It’s considered a huge need locally, as many individuals and businesses do not currently have access.
Areas in the county that will get access to broadband if the county is awarded the new grant include the townships of New Richland and St. Mary.
The area of Waseca County that will receive broadband from the already awarded grant from round nine will include portions of the townships of Alton, Byron, Freedom, Otisco, St. Mary, Vivian, and Wilton.
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