Rank: 42
Code: Red
(See Blandin Foundation interactive map)

Steele County: Stalled and not much community engagement

Steele County ranks 42 (down 10 places) for broadband access out of 87 counties. In October 2024, Spectrum announced the launch of Gig services in Steele County to “more than 50 home and small businesses.”

Steele County was hit hard when LTD Broadband was awarded federal funding and then funding was revoked. They lost the funding but also lost time when they were unable to apply for grants because of LTD Broadband’s award.

Their ranking goes from Yellow to Red because they have been stalled at 87 percent for many years and, aside from 50 location getting Spectrum, there are no apparent movements forward in the near future.

• Over the years, Steele County (or cities within) has not invested in matches for any successful MN Broadband grants.
• Steele County will not benefit from a 2024 MN Broadband grant.
• Steele County will not benefit from any line extension award (Rounds 1 and 2).
• Last years’ estimates indicated that it would cost $15.4 million to get ubiquitous broadband in the county. (I haven’t updated the number because recent report offers scenarios of costs based on BEAD funding rules that make current estimates less predictable than in the past. Yet, I think the number is still helpful.)
• In 2022, Steele ranked 14 using Microsoft’s Digital Equity Tool, which looks at various factors of a community.
• Steele County has been involved with broadband for years – going back to working with Blandin Foundation-led, Minnesota Intelligent Rural Communities (2009-2012) effort.

Grant

• Spectrum Mid-America, LLC managed by Charter Communications Inc., $158,052.00

Find more articles on broadband in Steele County (http://tinyurl.com/zd4qhbu)

The maps below on the left comes from the Office of Broadband Development interactive map, reflecting data updated on December 16, 2024. Red dots represent locations unserved locations. Above I have tracked wireline access because that is the Minnesota definition of broadband. The info below includes wired and wireless. BEAD includes fixed wireless connections as served locations. (I wrote more on the distinction between the two last year, which may be if interest in the numbers range greatly for your county.)

I am doing the annual look at broadband in each county – based on maps from the Office of Broadband Development and news gathered from the last year. I’m looking at progress toward the 2022 (25 Mbps down and 3 Mbps up) and 2026 (100 Mbps down and 20 Mbps up) and will code each:

• Red (yikes)
• Yellow (warning)
• Green (good shape)