Category Archives: Cooperatives

Lismore Cooperative Telephone updates Nobles County Board on FTTP network and line extension progress

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The Globe reports…

The Nobles County Board of Commissioners received an update on Lismore Cooperative Telephone’s Fiber to Home broadband project at their Tuesday meeting. Lismore Cooperative – the firm that will own and operate the broadband services involved – General Manager Travis Halbur and Finley Engineering associates presented.

Whitney Adler, the project manager with Finley, said there are two projects going at the same time: the Fiber-to-the-Premises (FTTP) project and a line extension project .

The FTTP project – which kicked off in August 2025 – will cover roughly 650 total route miles, with about 123 miles going specifically to people’s homes. Around 1,443 potential customers will be impacted.

As of right now, the project is in phase one.

“Most of the design, permitting, contracts is all complete; construction is going on,” Adler said. “We’re about 71% through phase one construction, 28% through the overall, all four phases. Phase two will be starting real soon in the near future.”

According to Adler, the project has exhausted a quarter of its $13 million grant so far. About $9.85 million remains in the budget.

“We have three mainline (plow) crews going, one drop crew, a few splicing crews, and the goal ultimately is to get about three to four miles plowed per day just to get the customers of Nobles County basically in line with fiber,” Adler said.

The line extension project covers 16.5 route miles and 4.5 total drop miles, serving an estimated 56 potential customers. With two mainline plow crews, the project’s expected completion is no later than Dec. 31, 2026.

Minnesota Rural Electric Association’s Energy Issues Summit includes power and data center discussions

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KFGO reports…

As Minnesota electric cooperatives navigate rising infrastructure costs, increasing demand for electricity and significant changes in the nation’s energy landscape, affordability and reliability emerged as a theme during the Minnesota Rural Electric Association’s Energy Issues Summit held August 5-6 in Bloomington, Minnesota.

More than 200 cooperative leaders, directors and industry experts gathered to discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of electricity in Minnesota. Topics ranged from grid reliability and data center growth to energy policy and economic trends. Besides a myriad of topics, the conference started off with a presentation about affordability and trends in the industry.

More on data centers…

Conference sessions explored how emerging trends such as large-scale data centers are adding to electricity demand while also presenting opportunities if growth is managed appropriately. Industry experts discussed the importance of ensuring new large electric loads pay their fair share of system costs while helping spread fixed costs across more consumers.

Some electric cooperatives lose interest in BEAD due to pole attachment rule changes

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Telecompetitor reports…

Pole attachment requirements added late in the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program rollout have become a sticking point for electric cooperatives, already pushing some out of the program. In an interview with Telecompetitor, NRECA CEO Jim Matheson said the BEAD provision marks a sharp break from decades of federal policy and is one reason several cooperatives have decided the program is no longer worth pursuing.

Under the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA’s) revised terms, an electric cooperative that accepts BEAD funding for any part of its territory becomes subject to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) pole attachment rates across its entire service area, not only the funded portion.

Electric cooperatives have long been exempt from FCC pole attachment regulation under Section 224 of the Communications Act, which caps the rates pole owners may charge companies that string broadband lines and sets deadlines for processing attachment requests. Cooperatives set their rates locally, and Congress preserved the exemption in recognition of the sparsely populated, hard-to-serve areas co-ops typically cover.

MN Office of Broadband Development announces first signed BEAD deal

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I mentioned this yesterday in the OBD Updates, but I’m glad to highlight it again today, because it’s pretty big news. Broadband Breakfast reports…

Minnesota has notched a milestone: the state’s first signed BEAD deal.

The state’s Office of Broadband Development announced an executed contract and approved environmental review for East Central Energy’s fiber project expected to connect 3,750 locations between Minneapolis and Duluth.

Update from Paul Bunyan Communications on Broadband Expansion in Itasca and St. Louis Counties

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Update from Paul Bunyan Communications…

Paul Bunyan Communications started construction in late April on expanding the all-fiber optic network, the GigaZone®, to over 600 more locations in Itasca and St. Louis County across five townships.
This project includes areas south and west of the city of Cook including parts of the following townships: Alango, Carpenter, Field, Sturgeon, and an unorganized township east of Carpenter.
Currently crews are working in Sturgeon, Field, and Alango townships. The construction phase of the project is expected to be completed within the next 4-6 weeks with services expected to become available by winter. There is no construction fee to get connected, by signing up for services a location gets on the construction list.
The first stage of the construction process is installing the main fiber network which is followed by installing the connections up to individual homes and businesses that have signed up to be connected. Once those two stages are completed, our clean up/restoration crews will come through, and our team will work to splice the fiber network. Once it is operational in a project area, customers who signed up for service will be contacted to schedule service installations. A video on how the construction process works is located on the Paul Bunyan Communications YouTube channel at:

For those unfamiliar with Paul Bunyan Communications, we are a member-owned broadband cooperative that has served northern Minnesota since 1952. There are no membership fees or annual dues, membership is gained when a resident or business subscribes to local phone service or GigaZone® Broadband Internet service. The cooperative headquarters is in Bemidji with a Customer Service & Technology Center located in Grand Rapids.
Sign Up Now to Ensure Fiber Optic Connection Residents and businesses in these expansion areas are encouraged to sign up for service now, before construction crews move on to ensure the fiber optic connection is brought up to the location. That can be done quickly and easily online at paulbunyan.net or in person at one of our office locations.
Services Available Upon Completion Once the network is live, customers will have access to Paul Bunyan’s GigaZone® services, including high-speed fiber-optic Internet with speeds up to 10 Gig and dependable, low-cost unlimited local and long-distance GigaZone® voice services.
This project is made possible through the State of Minnesota, Department of Employment & Economic Development, Low-Density Population Broadband Infrastructure Development Grant Program. This project is estimated to cost $7,810,355, with the State of Minnesota’s Low-Population Density Program grant contributing $3,924,157, Paul Bunyan Communications investing $2,203,928, Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation (IRRR) investing $1,000,000, St. Louis County investing $583,250, Alango Township $41,200, Field Township $17,800, and Sturgeon Township $40,000.

Update from Paul Bunyan Communications on Broadband Expansion in Central Aitkin County

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From Paul Bunyan Communications…

Paul Bunyan Communications broadband expansion across Central Aitkin County is progressing as planned. The project area includes the cities of McGregor, Palisade, and Tamarack, as well as portions of Clark, Haugen, Jevne, Libby, Logan, McGregor, Shamrock, and Workman Townships. Once completed over 2,400 homes & businesses will have access to the all-fiber optic network and the services it provides.
Currently crews are working in areas south of Sandy Lake Reservoir and west of Lake Minnewawa. They are still working north of McGregor and will soon be heading east towards Tamarack. Construction in the city of McGregor is almost done.
Paul Bunyan Communications will be at the Aitkin Chamber of Commerce Riverboat Days on Saturday, August 1 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. in the vendor fair area and we will be at Palisade Riverfest on Saturday, August 8 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Please stop by to learn about our expansion, services, and cooperative plus pick up a free fast charging power cube while supplies last.
The first stage of the construction process is installing the main fiber network which is followed by installing the connections up to individual homes and businesses that have signed up to be connected. Once those two stages are completed, our clean up/restoration crews will come through, and our team will work to splice the fiber network. Once it is operational in a project area, customers who signed up for service will be contacted to schedule service installations. A video on how the construction process works is located on the Paul Bunyan Communications YouTube channel at:

Paul Bunyan Communications is a member-owned broadband cooperative that has served northern Minnesota since 1952. There are no membership fees or annual dues, membership is gained when a resident or business subscribes to local phone service or GigaZone® Broadband Internet service. The cooperative headquarters is in Bemidji with a Customer Service & Technology Center located in Grand Rapids.
Sign Up Now to Ensure Fiber Optic Connection Residents and businesses in these expansion areas are encouraged to sign up for service now, before construction crews move on to ensure the fiber optic connection is brought up to the location. That can be done quickly and easily online at paulbunyan.net or in person at one of our office locations.
Services Available Upon Completion Once the network is live, customers will have access to Paul Bunyan’s GigaZone® services, including high-speed fiber-optic Internet with speeds up to 10 Gig and dependable, low-cost unlimited local and long-distance GigaZone® voice services.

Paul Bunyan Communications broadband expansion in Itasca and St. Louis Counties

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Paul Bunyan Communications reports…

Paul Bunyan Communications started construction in late April on expanding the all-fiber optic network, the GigaZone®, to over 600 more locations in Itasca and St. Louis County across five townships.
This project includes areas south and west of the city of Cook including parts of the following townships: Alango, Carpenter, Field, Sturgeon, and an unorganized township east of Carpenter.
Currently crews are working in in portions of Sturgeon Township and the unorganized township east of Carpenter Township. North Central Services, a business member of our cooperative out of Bemidji, is the contractor doing the construction. Their vehicles are marked and there will also be magnets on some with the Paul Bunyan Communications logo to help identify the project.
The first stage of the construction process is installing the main fiber network which is followed by installing the connections up to individual homes and businesses that have signed up to be connected. Once those two stages are completed, our clean up/restoration crews will come through, and our team will work to splice the fiber network. Once it is operational in a project area, customers who signed up for service will be contacted to schedule service installations. A video on how the construction process works is located on the Paul Bunyan Communications YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZqT58jqG_4
For those unfamiliar with Paul Bunyan Communications, we are a member-owned broadband cooperative that has served northern Minnesota since 1952. There are no membership fees or annual dues, membership is gained when a resident or business subscribes to local phone service or GigaZone® Broadband Internet service. The cooperative headquarters is in Bemidji with a Customer Service & Technology Center located in Grand Rapids.
Sign Up Now to Ensure Fiber Optic Connection Residents and businesses in these expansion areas are encouraged to sign up for service now, before construction crews move on to ensure the fiber optic connection is brought up to the location. That can be done quickly and easily online at paulbunyan.net or in person at one of our office locations.
Services Available Upon Completion Once the network is live, customers will have access to Paul Bunyan’s GigaZone® services, including high-speed fiber-optic Internet with speeds up to 10 Gig and dependable, low-cost unlimited local and long-distance GigaZone® voice services.
This project is made possible through the State of Minnesota, Department of Employment & Economic Development, Low-Density Population Broadband Infrastructure Development Grant Program. This project is estimated to cost $7,810,355, with the State of Minnesota’s Low-Population Density Program grant contributing $3,924,157, Paul Bunyan Communications investing $2,203,928, Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation (IRRR) investing $1,000,000, St. Louis County investing $583,250, Alango Township $41,200, Field Township $17,800, and Sturgeon Township $40,000.

Electric cooperatives concerned with BEAD changes (fiber and pole attachments)

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Light Reading reports...

As electric cooperatives descend upon Washington, DC, this week for their fifth-annual Broadband Leadership Summit, they bring with them a number of policy priorities and concerns. Among those is their growing distress at the direction of the federal government’s $42 billion BEAD program.

“Quite frankly, some decisions have been made in the BEAD program that we are not happy with,” said Jim Matheson, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), during a press conference last week ahead of the summit. NRECA represents the interests of the country’s electric co-ops, of which roughly 200 offer retail broadband service in the US.

There were at least two issues for the electric coops: fiber…

“We were pretty disappointed that the preference for fiber was removed. We think that shifts the program’s focus from what would be more of a proven, durable, scalable broadband technology. So we were not in favor of that decision,” added Matheson. The Trump administration stripped BEAD of its fiber preference last June, forcing states to re-do their bidding processes to instead award the lowest-cost bidders.

And pole attachment rules for electric coops…

In addition to BEAD losing its fiber preference, co-ops are also worried about ever-changing rules for the federal broadband program that make it harder for them to participate: “It adds to confusion, it adds to delay, it adds to cost. That’s been disappointing,” said NRECA’s Matheson.

One change of particular concern to electric cooperatives is the NTIA’s decision to impose FCC pole attachment rules on co-ops participating in the BEAD program, despite co-ops typically being exempt from federal pole attachment regulations. The FCC rules cap the rates pole owners may impose and set time limits on processing pole attachment applications. The regulation applies across the service provider’s entire footprint, not just within the BEAD-funded area.

Paul Bunyan Communications starts on major fiber expansion in Central Aitkin County

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From Paul Bunyan Communications…

Paul Bunyan Communications has begun construction on a major broadband expansion project in central Aitkin County that will bring its all-fiber optic network, the GigaZone®, to more than 2,400 homes and businesses.
The project area includes the cities of McGregor, Palisade, and Tamarack, as well as portions of Clark, Haugen, Jevne, Libby, Logan, McGregor, Shamrock, and Workman Townships.
Construction is now underway and will continue throughout the summer months. Once completed, residents and businesses in these areas will have access to fast, reliable all-fiber optic Internet and WiFi designed to support everything from streaming and remote work to advanced business operations. Services are expected to become available by winter.
“This is an exciting milestone for this project and for the communities it includes,” said Chad Bullock, CEO and General Manager of Paul Bunyan Communications. “Breaking ground means we’re one step closer to delivering the kind of high-speed, reliable Internet that has become essential for daily life.”
The GigaZone® all-fiber optic network offers speeds up to 10 Gig, providing a significant upgrade over traditional Internet services. In addition to Internet and WiFi, customers will have access to voice services including unlimited local and long-distance calling. Business customers can also take advantage of Managed IT Business Services such as VOIP, Disaster Backup and Recovery, and Network Management.
“This construction represents a major investment in the future of central Aitkin County,” said Leo Anderson, Chief Technology Officer of Paul Bunyan Communications. “Our all-fiber optic network is built for long-term performance, delivering the speed and reliability needed for work, education, healthcare, and business growth.”
Residents and businesses are encouraged to sign up for services before construction crews complete work in their area to ensure a connection. There is no membership fee to join the cooperative; membership begins when subscribing to GigaZone® Internet or local phone service.
To check availability or sign up for service, visit www.paulbunyan.net, call, or stop by the Grand Rapids Customer Service & Technology Center.

Paul Bunyan Communication expands broadband in Itasca and St. Louis Counties

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From Paul Bunyan Communications…

Paul Bunyan Communications has started construction on expanding its all-fiber optic network, the GigaZone®, to over 600 more locations in Itasca and St. Louis County across five townships.
This project includes areas south and west of the city of Cook including parts of the following townships: Alango, Carpenter, Field, Sturgeon, and an unorganized township east of Carpenter.
The construction phase of the project is now underway and is expected to take up to three months. Once the fiber optic network is operational, residents and businesses will have access to fast, reliable all-fiber optic Internet and WiFi designed to support everything from streaming and remote work to advanced business operations. Services are expected to become available this fall.
“This is an exciting milestone for this project and for the communities it includes,” said Chad Bullock, CEO and General Manager of Paul Bunyan Communications. “Breaking ground means we’re one step closer to delivering the kind of high-speed, reliable Internet that has become essential for daily life.”
The GigaZone® all-fiber optic network offers speeds up to 10 Gig, providing a significant upgrade over traditional Internet services. In addition to Internet and WiFi, customers will have access to voice services including unlimited local and long-distance calling. Business customers can also take advantage of Managed IT Business Services such as VOIP, Disaster Backup and Recovery, and Network Management.
“This construction represents a major investment in the future of these townships,” said Leo Anderson, Chief Technology Officer of Paul Bunyan Communications. “Our all-fiber optic network is built for long-term performance, delivering the speed and reliability needed for work, education, healthcare, and business growth.”
Residents and businesses are encouraged to sign up for services before construction crews complete work in their area to ensure a connection. There is no membership fee to join the cooperative; membership begins when subscribing to GigaZone® Internet or local phone service.
To check availability or sign up for service, visit www.paulbunyan.net, call, or stop by the Grand Rapids Customer Service & Technology Center.
This project is made possible through the State of Minnesota, Department of Employment & Economic Development, Low-Density Population Broadband Infrastructure Development Grant Program. This project is estimated to cost $7,810,355, with the State of Minnesota’s Low-Population Density Program grant contributing $3,924,157, Paul Bunyan Communications investing $2,203,928, Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation (IRRR) investing $1,000,000, St. Louis County investing $583,250, Alango Township $41,200, Field Township $17,800, and Sturgeon Township $40,000.

Paul Bunyan Communications broadband expansion projects estimated at almost $8 million

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The Timbeyjay reports on expansion of broadband in Northen Minnesota…

Paul Bunyan Communications is planning a significant expansion of its all-fiber optic network in parts of St. Louis and Itasca counties this year, bringing high-speed broadband service to more than 600 homes and businesses across five townships near Cook.
The project will extend the cooperative’s GigaZone network into areas south and west of Cook, including portions of Alango, Carpenter, Field, and Sturgeon townships, along with an unorganized township east of Carpenter.

I wrote about the expansions earlier, the Timberjay takes a look funding…

The total cost is estimated at $7,810,355, with funding coming from a combination of state, regional, local, and cooperative sources.
The largest share of funding, $3,924,157, is being provided through the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development’s Low-Density Population Broadband Infrastructure Development Grant Program. Paul Bunyan Communications is contributing $2,203,928 toward the project.
Additional support includes $1,000,000 from Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation, $583,250 from St. Louis County, and smaller contributions from local townships, including $41,200 from Alango Township, $17,800 from Field Township, and $40,000 from Sturgeon Township.

And a look at the larger industry and funding…

These local expansions are taking place amid broader policy changes that could shape the future of broadband deployment across the state.
Federal changes to broadband funding rules are influencing how projects are selected in Minnesota. Updated guidance issued in 2025 by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration shifted the BEAD program toward a more “technology-neutral” approach, requiring states to consider a mix of fiber, fixed wireless, and satellite options when awarding funds, rather than prioritizing fiber by default.
Minnesota’s approved BEAD plan reflects that shift, with state officials anticipating a combination of technologies to reach unserved areas, particularly in remote locations where fiber deployment is more costly. Analysts say the policy change has already begun to affect outcomes, with fiber accounting for a smaller share of proposed or funded projects than originally expected and more funding directed toward wireless and satellite options. The Minnesota Office of Broadband Development, which is overseeing roughly $652 million in federal funding, continues to work through how those federal requirements will shape final project selections and the pace of expansion across rural parts of the state.
At the same time, the shift has raised ongoing questions about long-term performance differences between technologies. Fiber networks like Paul Bunyan Communications’ GigaZone are capable of speeds up to 10 gigabits per second, far exceeding federal minimum broadband standards, while satellite-based services such as Starlink typically deliver speeds closer to 250 megabits per second, according to federal and industry data, a gap that can affect reliability, latency, and long-term scalability for users.

Paul Bunyan Communications expands fiber to more than 3,200 Homes and Businesses in Northern Minnesota

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More good news from Paul Bunyan, this news includes updates I shared from Aitkin and St Louis & Itasca Counties yesterday but also includes Hubbard County updates…

Paul Bunyan Communications will be expanding its all-fiber optic network, the GigaZone®, to over 3,200 more locations in areas of Aitkin, Hubbard, and St. Louis counties in 2026.
Aitkin County
Over 2,400 locations in central Aitkin County including the cities of McGregor, Palisade, and Tamarack along with areas of Clark, Haugen, Jevne, Libby, Logan, McGregor, Shamrock, and Workman Townships.
Itasca County/St. Louis County
Over 600 locations in areas of the following townships in St Louis and Itasca County: Alango, Sturgeon, Field, Carpenter, and Unorganized Township east of Carpenter Township. These areas are south and west of the city of Cook.
This project is made possible through the State of Minnesota, Department of Employment & Economic Development, Low-Density Population Broadband Infrastructure Development Grant Program. This project is estimated to cost $7,810,355, with the State of Minnesota’s Low-Population Density Program grant contributing $3,924,157, Paul Bunyan Communications investing $2,203,928, Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation (IRRRB) investing $1,000,000, St. Louis County investing $583,250, Alango Township $41,200, Field Township $17,800, and Sturgeon Township $40,000.
Hubbard County
Over 225 locations in southern Hubbard County including areas of Henrietta and Todd Townships south of Fishhook Lake and areas south and west of Long Lake in Hubbard Township.
This project is made possible through a USDA ReConnect Round 3 grant award. The portion of construction built with grant dollars will be an estimated $500,000.
Once the new all-fiber optic network is operational, homes and businesses can get fast, dependable GigaZone™ Internet and WiFi built to keep every device connected. Voice services, including unlimited local and long-distance will also be available. Business customers will gain access to Managed IT Business Services like VOIP, Disaster Backup and Recovery, and Network Management.
Construction will take place over the summer with services expected to be available by winter. To get connected, residents and businesses need to sign up for service before construction leaves the area. Sign up online at https://paulbunyan.net/, over the phone, or in person at our offices in Bemidji and Grand Rapids.
“We’re excited to share our plans to expand gigabit broadband access to more residents and businesses,” said Chad Bullock, CEO and General Manager of Paul Bunyan Communications. “Our cooperative remains committed to delivering these essential services to communities across northern Minnesota.”

Paul Bunyan Communications expanding fiber to more than 600 more locations in 2026 in St Louis County

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From Paul Bunyan Communications…

Paul Bunyan Communications will be expanding its all-fiber optic network, the GigaZone®, to over 600 more locations in Itasca and St. Louis County this year across five townships.
This project includes areas south and west of the city of Cook including parts of the following townships: Alango, Carpenter, Field, Sturgeon, and an unorganized township east of Carpenter.
Once the new all-fiber optic network is operational, homes and businesses can get fast, dependable GigaZone™ Internet and WiFi built to keep every device connected. Voice services, including unlimited local and long-distance will also be available. Business customers will gain access to Managed IT Business Services like VOIP, Disaster Backup and Recovery, and Network Management. In addition, Paul Bunyan Communications is an authorized DIRECTV dealer and certified Apple Service Center. There is no membership fee to join the cooperative. membership begins when you subscribe to GigaZone™ Internet or local phone service.
Construction will take place over the summer with services expected to be available by winter. To get connected, residents and businesses need to sign up for service before construction leaves the area. Sign up online, over the phone, or in person at our Grand Rapids Customer Service & Technology Center. To check to see if a specific location is within an expansion area and sign up for services, visit https://paulbunyan.net/
“Expanding our all-fiber optic network into more rural areas around our current service territory reflects our long-standing commitment to the region,” said Chad Bullock, CEO and General Manager of Paul Bunyan Communications. “Access to reliable, high-quality internet is essential for economic growth, education, and quality of life. As a cooperative, we continue to invest in our region to bring more homes and businesses have the connectivity they need to succeed.”
“Our 2026 expansion marks another important step in extending the reach of our all-fiber optic network,” said Leo Anderson, Chief Technology Officer of Paul Bunyan Communications. “By delivering fast, reliable connectivity with the capacity to scale for future needs, we’re making sure residents and businesses have the tools they need to thrive, today and for years to come.”
This project is made possible through the State of Minnesota, Department of Employment & Economic Development, Low-Density Population Broadband Infrastructure Development Grant Program. This project is estimated to cost $7,810,355, with the State of Minnesota’s Low-Population Density Program grant contributing $3,924,157, Paul Bunyan Communications investing $2,203,928, Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation (IRRR) investing $1,000,000, St. Louis County investing $583,250, Alango Township $41,200, Field Township $17,800, and Sturgeon Township $40,000.

Paul Bunyan Communications finishes broadband expansion in Great Scott and unorganzied Township in St. Louis County

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From Paul Bunyan Communications…

Paul Bunyan Communications has completed construction of its all-fiber optic GigaZone® network, bringing fast, reliable Internet access to more than 350 homes and businesses in Great Scott Township and an unorganized township north of Great Scott in St. Louis County. The completed expansion includes the areas surrounding Dark Lake, Clear Lake, Lake Fourteen, and Lake Leander. Residents and businesses who have signed up for service are now being contacted to schedule installation.
“This project represents more than new infrastructure, it’s about delivering Internet and WiFi for the way people live and work today,” said Chad Bullock, CEO and General Manager of Paul Bunyan Communications. “Completing this all-fiber optic expansion ensures residents and businesses in these areas have the dependable, high-speed connectivity they need for everyday life, economic opportunity, and staying connected to what matters most.”
Paul Bunyan Communications’ all-fiber optic network delivers both upload and download speeds up to 10 Gig, supporting the growing demands of modern households and businesses.
“With an all-fiber network, customers experience consistent, reliable performance across everything they do, whether that’s remote work and learning, telehealth visits, running a business, or streaming entertainment,” said Brian Bissonette, Marketing Supervisor at Paul Bunyan Communications. “This level of connectivity truly changes how people can live, work, and stay connected.”
The project was made possible in part through a $400,000 St. Louis County Broadband Grant and a $217,000 Broadband Grant from the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation (IRRR).
Homes and businesses within the completed expansion area that have not yet signed up for service may still do so. When feasible, the cooperative will return to bring the network to additional locations with no construction fee.
There is no membership fee to join Paul Bunyan Communications. Membership is included when subscribing to either local phone service or GigaZone® Internet service.
To check whether a specific location is included in the expansion area and to learn more about the construction process, visit www.paulbunyan.net

Broadband expanded to more than 100 households in Great Scott Township and Mountain Iron

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The IRRR Ranger reports…

The GigaZone is currently available to more than 60,000 locations in Minnesota and serves over 36,000 customers across rural and often sparsely populated areas.

“Broadband has become a cornerstone for regional economic growth, remote education, telehealth services and numerous other community initiatives in northern Minnesota,” said Craig Boyer, PBC’s chief financial officer. “The Great Scott project served an area that likely would not have received basic broadband service without external assistance. The grant from IRRR enabled the project to move forward, along with additional funding from St. Louis County.”

The locations now have access to fiber optic fast GigaZone internet and WiFi, digital voice services and Managed IT business services. The PBC cooperative is also northern Minnesota’s certified Apple Service Center and an authorized DIRECTV dealer. Anyone interested in getting connected to the all-fiber optic broadband network may sign up for service. People may sign up online or by phone. To check if a specific location is in the project area and to sign up for service, visit www.gigazone.com.

Email Whitney Ridlon or call her at 218-735-3004 for Broadband Infrastructure grant information.