KNSI radio reports…

Stearns County is getting the last piece it needs to wire its rural residents with high-speed internet.

The county has received $1.25 million in grants through the Minnesota Border-to-Border Broadband Development Grant Program, which is run by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. The program aims to expand fiber internet infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas.

The cash will connect people in Paynesville Township, Wakefield and Luxemburg to the World Wide Web. Officials say the announcement marks the final push needed to bring high-speed internet access to nearly all parts of Stearns County.

“High-speed internet has become a necessity. It is an accelerator of opportunity and is necessary for education, home businesses, farm equipment, entertainment, health care, home security, smart homes, communications, and more. In many ways, the future economic vitality of our county depends on access to high-speed internet,” said Stearns County Administrator Mike Williams.

According to a press release, Stearns County has received $21.3 million in Border-to-Border Grants and $16.7 million in County and Township American Rescue Plan funds to connect the community.