Rank: 85
Code: Red
(See Blandin Foundation interactive map)

Todd County: on bottom 10 list for broadband

Todd County ranks 85 (again) for broadband access out of 87 counties. Working with the Blandin Foundation, Todd County has been focused on better broadband for a long time. They work hard but still rank at the bottom, demonstrating that even the hardest working counties need an engaged provider. That missing piece leaves them at code red, despite ongoing efforts. The fact that they have received 55 line extension grants demonstrates the community engagement.

• Over the years, Todd County (or cities within) has invested $7,500 (total) for matches for 1 successful MN Broadband grant. This is an indicator of local government that is engaged and (literally) invested in better, local broadband.
• Todd County will not benefit from a 2024 MN Broadband grant.
• Todd County will benefit from 38 line extension awards (Rounds 1 and 2), which extend broadband to individual locations.
• Last years’ estimates indicated that it would cost $45.8 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, Todd ranked 83 using Microsoft’s Digital Equity Tool, which looks at various factors of a community.

Broadband Access:

Past Grants:

• ReConnect funding through Upsala Cooperative Telephone Association in Morrison, Stearns and Todd counties.
• 2017 – WCTA (West Central Telephone Association) – Northern Todd County – GRANT $902,695
• 2014 – Arvig (Mainstreet Communications LLC), Sauk Lake area $
• 2019: WCTA (West Central Telephone Association) – Rural Staples Phase I Project – GRANT $555,355

• MN State Grants awarded in 2021: Arvig (Tekstar Communications, Inc.) – Lake Osakis, Sauk Lake & Smith Lake Project – GRANT $486,458 This middle and last mile project will upgrade approximately 230 unserved and 39 underserved locations in Todd and Douglas counties.

• Sytek Communications – Morrison/Todd/Stearns County FTTP Project – GRANT $1,048,668 This last mile project will bring service to 130 locations in Southwest Morrison, Southeastern Todd and Northeastern Stearns counties.

Find more articles on broadband in Todd County (http://tinyurl.com/gl47tgq)

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)