The Country Messenger reports…

Thanks to more than 100 letters written by Scandia residents, and the work of Scandia’s Internet Action Committee and City Council, internet connection in the city will be vastly improved for many within the next two years. A recent grant was awarded to the city in the amount of $689,700, which will be matched by the City of Scandia and MidCo for a total project cost of $1,379,400 to help those needing improved internet connection most in the community.

“The need for better Internet service became very important about ten years ago as society became more dependent on the internet as a primary means of communication and connectivity,” said the Internet Action Committee Chair Bob Wilmers.  “The committee determined the best way to address the issue was to work with an existing Internet provider to expand their service footprint beyond the center of town and to reach all the residents of Scandia. By partnering with MidCo, utilizing state, federal and county funding, and the city’s own financial support we were able to bring high speed internet to the rest of the community through a series of grants starting in 2020.”

The city’s most recent grant is part of a $52 million grant from the Department of Employment and Economic Development’s (DEED) Office of Broadband Development. The grant was awarded on Oct. 9 and is estimated to help 7,700 homes and businesses across Minnesota receive improved internet connection, many of which are in Scandia.

“The most recent grant was acquired like previous grants,” said Wilmers. “The Internet Action Committee made a recommendation to the city council that local funds be made available so MidCo could apply for a Broadband Development Grant from the State of Minnesota. This grant program requires the financial participation of the local community along with the internet provider and local support from citizens in the form of letters describing the need for better service.