Category Archives: Cooperatives

EVENT Jan 13: MN Broadband Task Force January meeting

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Information on MN Broadband Task Force January meeting

Governor’s Task Force on Broadband

Monday January 13, 2025

10:00 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.

Centennial Office Building, Ladyslipper room

658 Cedar St.

Saint Paul, MN 55155

OR

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  • 10:00 a.m. – 10:05 a.m. Welcome
    Teddy Bekele, Chair, Minnesota Governor’s Task Force on Broadband
  • 10:05 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Task Force Annual Report and Legislative updates with State Representatives
    Senator Putnam, Chair Agriculture, Broadband, and Rural Development
    Representative Anderson, Chair Agriculture, Broadband, and Rural Development
    Representative Hansen, Chair Agriculture, Broadband, and Rural Development
  • 10:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Break
  • 11:00 a.m. – 11:05 a.m. Approval of minutes from December 2024 Task Force Meeting
  • 11:05 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Office of Broadband Development Overview + BEAD and Digital Opportunity Updates
  • Bree Maki, Executive Director, OBD
  • Diane Wells, Deputy Director, OBD
  • Hannah Buckland, Digital Equity Program Lead, OBD
  • 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Legislative update for 2025
  • 12:00 p.m. – 12:20 p.m. Other Business, Feedback on 2024, February 2025 Meeting Plans, Wrap-up

Paul Bunyan Communications broadband expansion completed in Buhl (St. Louis County)

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Good news for Buhl from Paul Bunyan Communications…

Paul Bunyan Communications has completed expanding its all-fiber optic network, the GigaZone® to the city of Buhl in St. Louis County. Those who have signed up for service are being contacted to set up service installation.
“We are steadfast in our mission to bring all-fiber optic gigabit broadband to underserved areas in our region. In today’s connected world, reliable internet is a necessity, and we’re thrilled to start providing services to the city of Buhl.” said Chad Bullock, Paul Bunyan Communications CEO/General Manager.
“This is a significant upgrade for residents and businesses. Our all-fiber optic network delivers the fastest internet speeds available—now up to 10 Gig—making remote work, distance learning, telehealth, streaming, and more seamlessly possible. It’s a transformative step forward for the community.” added Leo Anderson, Paul Bunyan Communications Chief Technical Officer.
Anyone interested in getting connected to the all-fiber optic broadband network in these areas can still sign up for service. The cooperative will return to bring the network up to locations with no construction fee when feasible.
There is no membership fee to join Paul Bunyan Communications, membership is included by subscribing to either local phone service or GigaZone® Internet service.
To check to see if a specific location is within an expansion area and learn more about the expansion construction process, visit www.gigazone.com.

Congrats to Gary Johnson and happy retirement

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The Bemidji Pioneer has done a nice write up of Gary Johnson, retiring CEO of Paul Bunyan Communications…

All the while, Johnson became one of Bemidji’s most prolific community leaders. As a Rotarian, he led the effort to launch the Lake Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival. As a board member of Greater Bemidji Economic Development, he was instrumental in creating the LaunchPad entrepreneur support center, the 218 Relocate remote worker recruitment effort and the NorthStartUp Pitch Competition for new business ideas.

He also has guided Paul Bunyan’s Communications efforts to create the annual GigaZone Gaming Championship and TechXpo, and the Lumberjack Games.

“Gary is one of the most effective leaders I have ever met,” said Greater Bemidji Executive Director Dave Hengel. “In fact, I would be hard-pressed to find anyone who has had a greater impact on our community than Gary over the past decade.

“He is passionate and cares deeply about Bemidji. He is one of those leaders who people naturally like to follow not only because of his passion and energy but also his humility. He is a true community steward.”

More info on CTC’s ReConnect broadband project in Brainerd

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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.

Lake Beauty Bible Camp in Long Prairie gets broadband with help from volunteers and grant

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NRECA reports…

Lake Beauty Bible Camp in central Minnesota is where Josh Carlson learned the value of giving back. Now the cooperative broadband installation supervisor is coming full circle, helping build a fiber-optic network for the popular retreat with donations and volunteers.

“Camp was a place where I learned that volunteering is where I get the most joy,” said Carlson, who joined Litchfield-based Meeker Cooperative Light and Power Association four years ago. “I really appreciate what camp did for me.”

Surrounded by deep forest, the buildings, dorms, cabins and offices that dot the 616-acre camp are far beyond the service territory of Meeker and its broadband arm, Vibrant.

But when a local telephone co-op won a state grant to serve the remote area, Carlson wanted to make sure LBBC had everything it needed to get connected quickly and as cheaply as possible.

He leaned on his co-op experience and planned a fiber backbone to connect the entire campus with a single hookup. Then he reached out to his list of friends and industry contacts, who responded with offers of donated material and muscle.

Paul Bunyan completes broadband expansion in Forbes Area of St. Louis County

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Big News from Paul Bunyan Communications…

Paul Bunyan Communications has completed expanding its all-fiber optic network, the GigaZone® to the Forbes area of St. Louis County that included over 240 homes and businesses. Those who have signed up for service are being contacted to set up service installation. Work also continues on the expansion to the city of Buhl with service installations expected to begin in December.
“Our commitment to expanding all-fiber optic gigabit broadband in underserved areas of our region remains unwavering. In today’s world, Internet access is essential, and we’re excited to begin delivering services to the Forbes area.” said Gary Johnson, Paul Bunyan Communications CEO/General Manager.
“This is a big service improvement for residents and businesses. Our all-fiber optic network provides the fastest Internet speeds available, now up to 10 Gig, so working from home, distant learning, telehealth, streaming video and more are all now possible. It’s a game changer for these residents and businesses.” added Chad Bullock, Paul Bunyan Communications Assistant CEO/General Manager.
Anyone interested in getting connected to the all-fiber optic broadband network in these areas can still sign up for service. The cooperative will return to bring the network up to locations with no construction fee when logistically feasible.
There is no membership fee to join Paul Bunyan Communications, membership is included by subscribing to either local phone service or GigaZone® Internet service.
To check to see if a specific location is within an expansion area and learn more about the expansion construction process, visit www.gigazone.com.

More info on Meeker Coop’s MN Broadband grant in Kandiyohi, Stearns and Wright Counties

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Tri-County News reports…

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Commissioner Matt Varilek announced the state’s 10th round of the Office of Broadband Development (OBD) Border-to-Border grants.

The event was held at a Meeker Cooperative & Vibrant Broadband construction project site in rural French Lake Township funded by a previous Round 9 Border-to-Border grant awarded to Meeker Cooperative Light & Power Association. Joining the Commissioner was Bree Maki, DEED Office of Broadband Development Executive Director, and Luke Johnson, Meeker Cooperative Light & Power Association CEO & General Manager. …

Meeker Cooperative Light & Power Association received $4 million in grant funding for several township-level projects, including those in Gennessee and Kandiyohi townships in Kandiyohi County, Paynesville Township in Stearns County, and Cokato Township in Wright County, totaling more than 170 miles of new fiber. These projects will improve broadband speeds for more than 400 locations, allowing residents to access better e-learning, telemedicine, digital services, and economic development expansion for rural businesses.

EVENT Oct 10: Broadband and Communication Service for the Deaf 

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An invitation from Next Century Cities…

This Thursday, October 10th at 12pm EDT, Next Century Cities is hosting a Broadband Accessibility Webinar with Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD) discussing insufficient broadband accessibility in the US for individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.

As a member and/or friend of NCC we invite you to attend this webinar to learn about the importance of accessible communication and the ways that broadband access, and Direct Video Calling create equitable opportunities and support for individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.

Please register for the event on Zoom, we look forward to seeing you on Thursday at 12pm EDT

CORI on rural broadband and economic growth featuring Bemidji

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The Center on Rural Innovation looks at the role of broadband in rural economic growth and resilience. Here are some of the high level findings..

Compared to the control group, rural counties in the high broadband utilization group have:

  • Business growth rates that are 213 percent higher
  • Self-employment growth rates that are 10 percent higher
  • Per capita income growth rates that are 18 percent higher
  • GDP growth rates that are 44 percent higher

And charts to back up the data.

They also look specifically at Bemidji, broadband and the impact of cooperatives, Paul Bunyan Communications and Beltrami Electric Cooperative…

Paul Bunyan Communications’ growth from a local telephone cooperative to a leading broadband provider reflects a broader trend of community-driven infrastructure development. The cooperative’s investments, including the $100 million GigaZone project, northern Minnesota’s first high-speed gigabit fiber network, have positioned Bemidji and surrounding areas as innovative, connected communities. To further enhance its services, Paul Bunyan Communications also offers a range of value-added broadband services. For residential areas they provide SmartHome services complete with enhanced parental controls and advanced network security powered by their GigaZone mobile app. To support WiFi roaming they have implemented the SmartTown initiative, providing outdoor WiFi in public spaces and ensuring that residents and businesses stay connected, even in previously underserved areas. Additionally, the SmartBiz program caters to the specific needs of local businesses by offering secure networks, easy-to-manage employee access, and redundancy options to safeguard against power outages — all without the need for extensive IT support. This is particularly beneficial for small businesses that might not otherwise afford these enterprise-level services.

Beltrami County’s cooperatives, Paul Bunyan Communications and Beltrami Electric Cooperative, have a collaborative history characterized by shared ventures and mutual support within their community-focused missions. One of their notable partnerships was the formation of Cooperative Development, LLC in 1996, a joint initiative between the two cooperatives to create Bemidji’s Technology Park. This business park was established to provide a conducive environment for technology-oriented businesses, offering advanced communication and infrastructure services. Supporting new tech businesses is beneficial for the community, as tech jobs are high-paying and high-growth jobs that help ensure that the region remains competitive and resilient in an increasingly digital economy.

And based on Beltrami County’s steady business growth it seems Paul Bunyan Communications’ approach is paying off. Since 2010, the number of businesses in Beltrami County has grown by 12.1% (which amounts to an average annual increase of 1.1%), outperforming both the state and the country as a whole (see Figure 10 above). AirCorps Aviation General Manager Erik Hokuf said that the exceptional broadband services in Bemidji have made it possible to expand their business, generating $4 million in annual revenue instead of an estimated $300,000-$400,000 without fiber. In addition to the growth of new businesses and revenue, the per capita income in Beltrami County also increased by 7% between 2020-2022.

Paul Bunyan Communications Expansion Completed in Taconite, Keewatin, and Greenway Township (Itasca County)

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An update from Paul Bunyan Communications…

Paul Bunyan Communications has completed expanding its all-fiber optic network, the GigaZone® to the city of Taconite, Keewatin, and areas of Greenway Township east of Calumet. Those who have signed up for service are being contacted to set up service installation.
“Our commitment to expanding all-fiber optic gigabit broadband in underserved areas of our region remains unwavering. In today’s world, Internet access is essential, and we’re excited to offer our services to over 700 homes and businesses in Taconite, Keewatin and areas of Greenway Township.” said Gary Johnson, Paul Bunyan Communications CEO/General Manager.
“Our all-fiber optic network provides the fastest Internet speeds available, now up to 10 Gig, so working from home, distant learning, telehealth, streaming video and more are all now possible. It’s a game changer for these areas.” added Chad Bullock, Paul Bunyan Communications Assistant CEO/General Manager.
Anyone interested in getting connected to the all-fiber optic broadband network in these areas can still sign up for service. The cooperative will return to bring the network up to locations with no construction fee when feasible.
There is no membership fee to join Paul Bunyan Communications, membership is included by subscribing to either local phone service or GigaZone® Internet service.
To check to see if a specific location is within an expansion area and learn more about the expansion construction process, visit www.gigazone.com.

Paul Bunyan Communications St. Louis County Broadband Expansion Update

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An update from Paul Bunyan Communications...

Paul Bunyan Communications is making good progress on its broadband expansion in St. Louis County.
Construction is done in the Forbes Area SW of Eveleth and the city of Buhl. The fiber splicing phase of the process will begin in October. Once the network is operational this winter, those who have signed up will be contacted to schedule services to be installed.
To check to see if a specific location is within an expansion area and learn more about the expansion construction process, visit http://www.gigazone.com
Anyone interested in getting connected to the all-fiber optic broadband network in these areas can still sign up for service. The cooperative will return to bring the network up to locations with no construction fee when feasible. That can be done online, over the phone, or in person at our Grand Rapids Customer Service & Technology Center or Cooperative Headquarters in Bemidji.
The cooperative’s services will become available once the network is operational including GigaZone® Internet with its unprecedented broadband speeds of up to 10 Gig and low cost unlimited local and long distance GigaZone® voice telephone service. There is no membership fee to join Paul Bunyan Communications, membership is included by subscribing to either local phone service or GigaZone® Internet service.

Paul Bunyan Communications Aitkin County Broadband Expansion Update

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Expansion news from Paul Bunyan Communications…

Paul Bunyan Communications is making good progress on its broadband expansion in Aitkin County.

Construction is almost done in the areas of Kimberly, Spencer, Jevne, Flemming, and Morrison Townships east of the city of Aitkin and west of the city of McGregor.  The fiber splicing phase of the process will begin in October with service installations expected to start this winter.

After a delay in expansion construction in Ball Bluff, Cornish, and Verdon townships of Aitkin County, construction will start within the next week and is expected to take 4-6 weeks.  The fiber splicing phase will follow that in November and service installations are expected to start over the winter.

Anyone in these expansion areas interested in getting connected to the all-fiber optic broadband network should sign up for service now before construction is done.  That can be done online, over the phone, or in person at our Grand Rapids Customer Service & Technology Center or Cooperative Headquarters in Bemidji.  To check to see if a specific location is within an expansion area and learn more about the expansion construction process, visit www.gigazone.com.

The cooperative’s services will become available once the network is operational including GigaZone® Internet with its unprecedented broadband speeds of up to 10 Gig and low cost unlimited local and long distance GigaZone® voice telephone service.  There is no membership fee to join Paul Bunyan Communications, membership is included by subscribing to either local phone service or GigaZone® Internet service.

Paul Bunyan Communications celebrates 10 years of GigaZone All-Fiber Optic Network in Northern MN

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Paul Bunyan Communications celebrates 10 years of the GIgaZone. It’s like watching your friend’s kid graduate from high school — where has the time gone?! Also a great example of a rural provider that is successfully providing world class broadband to their members…

Paul Bunyan Communications is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the groundbreaking GigaZone all fiber optic network. Launched a decade ago, the GigaZone network has transformed the connectivity landscape in Northern Minnesota, providing unparalleled internet speeds, reliability, and customer satisfaction.
The GigaZone network, a significant advancement in telecommunications network technology, is designed to meet the growing demands of the digital age. With Internet speeds now up to 10 Gigabits per second, the network has enabled households, businesses, and institutions to experience gigabit fast uploads and downloads for uninterrupted online activities. Over the past ten years, the cooperative has continually invested in and expanded the GigaZone network, ensuring that its members remain at the forefront of technological advancements.
“In 2014, we set out to build a network that would not only meet the needs of our community but exceed them,” said Gary Johnson, CEO of Paul Bunyan Communications. “Today, we are proud to celebrate a decade of delivering on that promise with the GigaZone all-fiber optic network. Our commitment to innovation and customer service has never been stronger.”
Many areas across the country still rely on outdated infrastructure, leading to slower internet speeds, frequent outages, and limited service capabilities. This lack of progress underscores the importance of Paul Bunyan Communications’ forward-thinking approach.
“Our decision to invest in an all-fiber optic network was driven by our commitment to our members and our vision for the future,” Johnson continued. “As other providers struggle with aging infrastructure, we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible, ensuring that our communities, no matter how remote, have access to the best technology available.”
In addition to providing cutting-edge connectivity, the GigaZone network has also been instrumental in supporting local economic growth, remote education, telehealth services, and countless other community initiatives. The network’s robust performance has proven essential during the recent global pandemic, enabling seamless remote work and learning experiences for over 30,000 homes and businesses.
“Looking back on the past ten years, we are incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished,” Johnson said. “But we are even more excited about the future. Our journey is far from over, and we are committed to continuing to innovate and provide the highest quality service for our membership.”
Paul Bunyan Communications does not have any membership fees or annual dues. Simply subscribe to a local phone line or GigaZone® Broadband Internet service and you become a member.

Cook County getting FTTH and Electricity thanks to RDOF and Arrowhead Cooperative

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WTIP reports...

Residents and cabin owners along the Arrowhead Trail, including those on McFarland Lake and Tom Lake, will soon have access to electric and broadband services, marking a transformative shift to the remote area of Cook County.

The expansion of services, funded by the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF), aims to bridge the digital divide by investing billions nationwide to build and expand broadband networks in rural areas of the United States. The RDOF was introduced by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in 2019 and is the single largest investment to expand and improve communications services in the U.S. Phase 1 of the RDOF includes a 10-year investment of $16.4 billion, with Phase 2 providing $4.4 billion.

Arrowhead Cooperative, the electric and internet provider in Cook County, applied for grant funding through the RDOF in 2019 and was awarded funds to expand services in the county in Nov. 2021. Since receiving the funds, Arrowhead Cooperative has begun installing electric and fiber in Cook County, including, most recently, the Arrowhead Trail. In 2023, Arrowhead Cooperative oversaw the installment of 19.3 miles of infrastructure.

See more:

Paul Bunyan Communications returns more than $3 million to members

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Fun news from Red Lake Nation News for Paul Bunyan Communications’ members and a positive example of a broadband provider who serves rural areas…

 Paul Bunyan Communications is returning over $3 million to its members in 2024, the cooperative announced today.

Paul Bunyan Communications is a not-for-profit company that strives to provide the highest quality service at the most affordable rates. As a cooperative, membership in Paul Bunyan Communications includes the opportunity to share in the financial success of the company. When profits are earned, they are allocated to the members based on their proportional share of the allocable revenues. These allocations may then be returned to the individual members through capital credit retirements.

More about the business…

“Our cooperative is thriving, standing as the largest broadband cooperative in Minnesota with over 30,000 active members spread across our 6,000-square-mile service area. We have been diligently building and expanding one of the country’s largest all-fiber optic rural Gigabit networks, the GigaZone®, transforming how our members live, work, and play. It is gratifying to see our efforts paying off and to return profits to our membership.” said Gary Johnson, Paul Bunyan Communications CEO/General Manager.

“For over 70 years, we have been offering the latest technology at cost. Joining Paul Bunyan Communications is free-there are no membership fees or annual dues. Simply subscribe to a local phone line or GigaZone® Broadband Internet service and you become a member. You’ll enjoy cutting-edge technology supported by our dedicated team of over 160 local employees who live and work in the communities we serve.” added Dave Schultz, Paul Bunyan Communications Chief Financial Officer.

“In a highly competitive industry with national competitors, our cooperative has thrived by prioritizing our region and members. We focus solely on our local communities, not on customers in places like Sioux Falls, Fargo, or Minneapolis. Our investments stay here, enhancing our network, services, and communities in northern Minnesota.” added Brian Bissonette, Paul Bunyan Communications Marketing Supervisor.