The Minnesota Star Tribune reports...

High-speed internet is coming to farmers, rural homeowners and businesses in Crow Wing and Morrison counties.

Consolidated Telecommunications Co. in Brainerd, a rural broadband cooperative, was awarded a $5.5 million loan and $5.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service. Federal officials visited Brainerd this week to announce the funding as part of $313 million awarded nationwide through President Joe Biden’s Investing in America agenda and USDA’s ReConnect Program.

Andy Isackson, the co-op’s chief marketing officer, said nearly 600 homes will be connected to broadband with the funding. That includes 2,831 people, 67 businesses and 78 farms, the USDA said.