Green=served Purple=underesrved Red=unserved

Rank (from 100/20 megabits per second): 32
Code: Yellow

Annually, Blandin Foundation pulls together data from the Minnesota Office of Broadband Development and broadband news to gauge progress toward the state broadband goals (25 megabits per second download/3 Mbps upload by 2022 and 100 Mbps/20 Mbps by 2026). Leaders can use this information to improve broadband access and use in their communities. To see how the state is doing overall, or to compare counties, visit the Blandin Foundation interactive map. Or check out past years’ reports: 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.

Wright County: stalled at 80 percent coverage

Wright County is home to Monticello, one of the much-discussed municipal broadband networks. Monticello built their own fiber network – but in process, the incumbent also built a fiber network and even sued the city. But it has worked out in the end, as reported by Monticello’s City Planner Jeff O’Neill on Munitnetworks’ podcast (September 2020).

Wright County has benefited from MN Border to Border grants in the past and they will benefit again as a project in their area received funding in the last grant award. Hopefully that will be enough to kick start an effort for great expansion.

Broadband Access:

Computer Access:

What we learned in the past:

Wright County is home to Monticello, one of the much-discussed municipal broadband networks. Monticello built their own fiber network – but in process the incumbent also built a fiber network and even sued the city.

Wright County has benefited from a broadband grant:

• 2017 – Midco (Midcontinent Communications) – Annandale East – GRANT $537,050

Update from 2020:

Winona County is looking at options, such as wireless for broadband deployment. They have also been working on adoption; Winona Engage created a Facebook page to help the community stay connected during the COVID shut down. Within 48 hours, they have 3,000 members.

Wright County will benefit from a MN Border to Border grant project funding in the last round.

• Meeker Coop. Light & Power Assoc. (Vibrant Broadband) – Lake Louisa/Lake Marie Project – GRANT $297,940
  This last mile project will upgrade approximately 206 unserved locations in rural South Haven in Wright County. In a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota, Vibrant Broadband will improve broadband service levels up to 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload, meeting or exceeding the 2022 and 2026 state speed goals. Building a fiber-to-the-premise high-speed broadband services network that will assist households, businesses and farms in the proposed grant area by providing access to critical school e-learning applications, making agricultural operations more efficient and enhancing crop production through enabled precision agriculture tools, and providing effective telemedicine options that offset rising health care costs. The broadband network will improve the lives of all the citizens of the area, lessening the “technological divide” between urban and rural areas.
• The total eligible cost is $993,134
• Local match is $695,194

Checklist:

• Find more article on Wright County https://blandinonbroadband.org/?s=%22wright+county%22&submit=Search
• 100/20 Mbps ranking: 32 (up 1)
• Has worked with Blandin: yes
• Has received a MN Broadband grant: yes
• Household density: 62.2

Details:

• Districts: CD 6
  Senate: 15, 18, 29, 30
  House: 15B, 18A, 29A, 29B, 30A, 30B
• Find your reps

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)

Green=served Purple=underesrved Red=unserved

Rank (from 100/20 megabits per second): 85
Code: Red

Annually, Blandin Foundation pulls together data from the Minnesota Office of Broadband Development and broadband news to gauge progress toward the state broadband goals (25 megabits per second download/3 Mbps upload by 2022 and 100 Mbps/20 Mbps by 2026). Leaders can use this information to improve broadband access and use in their communities. To see how the state is doing overall, or to compare counties, visit the Blandin Foundation interactive map. Or check out past years’ reports: 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.

Yellow Medicine County: some hope but no progress toward better broadband

In 2018, Yellow Medicine unveiled a feasibility study and potential plans to work with Farmers on better broadband. Farmers has worked with neighboring counties that are now well served. It doesn’t look like that network has been deployed, however. Another option has been proposed by Midco to build out fixed wireless. That was proposed in March (2020), the next mapping should show whether that happened and met the speed goals of 100/20 Mbps.

The good news is that they are having the right conversations; the bad news is that they aren’t always panning out for them.

Broadband Access:

Computer Access:

What we learned in the past:

In 2018, Yellow Medicine released a Blandin Foundation-supported feasibility study that indicates that it was not economically feasible to immediately build fiber everywhere without significant grant funding. However, at the time the county announced a tentative agreement with Farmers Mutual Cooperative to bring fiber to a significant portion of the county. The county has agreed to provide $4 million in funding subject to the Cooperative being able to find grants and other funding needed to build the project. If completed this project would cover a little less than half of the parts of the county that don’t have broadband today. Clearly that didn’t happen; but it’s a good indicator of what could help them.

Yellow Medicine County has benefited from broadband grants:

• 2016 – MIDCO CANBY TO MARSHALL MIDDLE MILE AND LAST MILE – GRANT AMOUNT: $623,000
  2015 – MVTV Wireless Middle Mile – Grant award: $808,080

Update from 2020:

We heard from Yellow Medicine in March (2020) that Midco has Connect America Fund (CAF) funding to help build out fixed wireless – in fact they have $2.3 million for Yellow Medicine. They are proposing 10 vertical assets from which to provide fixed wireless: 5 assets in the county and 5 outside the county that will serve the county. The mapping at the Office of Broadband Development was done in April, so any improvements since March would not be tracked.

Checklist:

• Find more articles on broadband in Yellow Medicine County (http://tinyurl.com/zhsj3ke)

• 100/20 Mbps ranking: 85 (down 7)
• Has worked with Blandin
• Has received a MN Broadband grant
• Household density: 5.6

Details:

• Districts: CD 7
  Senate:16
  House: 16AFind your reps

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)

Green=served Purple=underesrved Red=unserved

Rank (from 100/20 megabits per second): 24
Code: Yellow

Annually, Blandin Foundation pulls together data from the Minnesota Office of Broadband Development and broadband news to gauge progress toward the state broadband goals (25 megabits per second download/3 Mbps upload by 2022 and 100 Mbps/20 Mbps by 2026). Leaders can use this information to improve broadband access and use in their communities. To see how the state is doing overall, or to compare counties, visit the Blandin Foundation interactive map. Or check out past years’ reports: 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.

Winona County: pretty good access and needs a push for ubiquitous

Winona County has been focused on broadband for years; they were part of the Minnesota Intelligent Rural Communities (MIRC) starting in 2010, a Blandin-led and federal (ARRA) funded broadband adoption project.

The have benefited from past grant funded projects and will benefit from a project that received MN Border to Border funding in the last round. Hopefully that will help spur an interest in greater expansion of 100/20 Mbps broadband.

Broadband Access:

Computer Access:

What we learned in the past:

Winona County was part of the Minnesota Intelligent Rural Communities (MIRC) starting in 2010, a Blandin-led and federal (ARRA) funded digital inclusion project. So there has been a focus on broadband for a decade.

Winona has benefited from several broadband grants:

• 2016 – WINONA COUNTY PICKWICK AREA – GRANT: $416,640
• 2015 – Hiawatha Broadband Communications – Winona County Whitewater Area – Grant Award: $247,000
• 2015 – Winona County Hiawatha Broadband Communications – Cedar Valley Area – Grant award: $314,450

Update from 2020:

Winona County is looking at options, such as wireless for broadband deployment. They have also been working on adoption; Winona Engage created a Facebook page to help the community stay connected during the COVID shut down. Within 48 hours, they have 3,000 members.

Winona County will benefit from a MN Border to Border grant project funding in the last round.

• 2019: AcenTek – Rural Houston Exchange FTTH – GRANT $2,895,318
  This last mile project will upgrade approximately 485 unserved and 424 underserved locations in areas of Houston and Winona Counties. In a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota and Houston County, AcenTek will improve broadband service levels up to 1 Gbps download and 1 Gbps upload, exceeding the 2022 and 2026 state speed goals. These investments will bring the benefits of high speed broadband to the many farms in the project area, enable employees in healthcare to work remotely, and allow students to be more successful.
• Total eligible project cost is $9,651,059
• Local match is $6,755,741

Checklist:

• Find more articles on broadband in Winona County (http://tinyurl.com/hqsckxg)

• 100/20 Mbps ranking: 24 (no change)
• Has worked with Blandin: yes
• Has received a MN Broadband grant: yes
• Household density: 30.4

Details:

• Districts: CD 7
  Senate: 21, 28
  House: 21B, 28A
• Find your reps

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)

Green=served Purple=underesrved Red=unserved

Rank (from 100/20 megabits per second): 34
Code: Red

Annually, Blandin Foundation pulls together data from the Minnesota Office of Broadband Development and broadband news to gauge progress toward the state broadband goals (25 megabits per second download/3 Mbps upload by 2022 and 100 Mbps/20 Mbps by 2026). Leaders can use this information to improve broadband access and use in their communities. To see how the state is doing overall, or to compare counties, visit the Blandin Foundation interactive map. Or check out past years’ reports: 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.

Wilkin County: hovering around 68 percent

Policymakers in Wilkin seem to recognize the need for broadband. They have benefited from a MN Border to Border grant in the past. Unusually, their broadband coverage has actually slipped over the year, which may speak to the need for better mapping more than an actual change in coverage. To get better broadband, the community would need to organize and engage.

Broadband Access:

Computer Access:

What we learned in the past:

Wilkin has benefited from a state broadband grant:

• 2017 – Advantenon – Rural Grant, Stevens and Wilkin Counties – Grant $316,554

Update from 2020:

Policymakers, including Wilkin County Commissioner Chairperson Dennis Larson, discuss the exacerbated need for broadband during a pandemic.

Checklist:

• Find more articles on broadband in Wilkin County (http://tinyurl.com/zh64v29)

• 100/20 Mbps ranking: 34 (down from 20)
• Has worked with Blandin: no
• Has received a MN Broadband grant: yes
• Household density: 3.6

Details:

• Districts: CD 7
  Senate: 12
  House: 12A
• Find your reps

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)

Green=served Purple=underesrved Red=unserved

Rank (from 100/20 megabits per second): 12
Code: Green

Annually, Blandin Foundation pulls together data from the Minnesota Office of Broadband Development and broadband news to gauge progress toward the state broadband goals (25 megabits per second download/3 Mbps upload by 2022 and 100 Mbps/20 Mbps by 2026). Leaders can use this information to improve broadband access and use in their communities. To see how the state is doing overall, or to compare counties, visit the Blandin Foundation interactive map. Or check out past years’ reports: 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.

Washington County: nearly there with a grant in process

Washington County has some suburban areas and some rural areas. Unlike some of the more rural counties, there is a business case for providers to come into the Washington County market. They have been part of multi-county government networks led by Dakota County that provides a middle mile base from which other providers can build.

They have been hovering around 95 percent covered since we began tracking. They will benefit from a project funded in the last MN Border to Border round, which should increase access.

Broadband Access:

Computer Access:

What we learned in the past:

Washington County has some metro areas and some rural areas. Unlike some of the more rural counties, there is a business case for providers to come into the Washington County market. They have been part of multi-county government networks led by Dakota County that provides a middle mile base from which other providers can build.

Update from 2020:

Washington County will benefit from a MN Border to Border grant project funding in the last round. The ribbon-cutting was September 16 (2020):

• 2019: Midco (Midcontinent Communications) – Scandia Project – GRANT $510,358
  This last mile project will upgrade approximately 64 unserved households and 155 underserved households in areas of Scandia in Washington County. In a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota and the City of Scandia, Midco will improve broadband service levels up to 1 Gbps download and 20 Mbps upload, meeting or exceeding the 2022 and 2026 state speed goals. The broadband network will improve access to critical school e-learning applications, and health care resources; enable telecommuting options for residents; and make businesses and city institutions more efficient.
• Total eligible cost is $1,020,717
• Local match is $510,359

Checklist:

• Find more articles on broadband in Washington County (http://tinyurl.com/z4dwzyy)

• 100/20 Mbps ranking: 12 (no change)
• Has worked with Blandin: yes
• Has received a MN Broadband grant: no
• Household density: 207.8

Details:

• Districts: CD 2, 4, 6
  Senate: 38, 39, 43, 53, 54
  House: 38A, 38B, 39A, 39B, 43A, 43B, 53A, 53B, 54A, 54B
• Find your reps

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)

Green=served Purple=underesrved Red=unserved

Rank (from 100/20 megabits per second): 45
Code: Red

Annually, Blandin Foundation pulls together data from the Minnesota Office of Broadband Development and broadband news to gauge progress toward the state broadband goals (25 megabits per second download/3 Mbps upload by 2022 and 100 Mbps/20 Mbps by 2026). Leaders can use this information to improve broadband access and use in their communities. To see how the state is doing overall, or to compare counties, visit the Blandin Foundation interactive map. Or check out past years’ reports: 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.

Waseca County: stalled at 75 percent broadband access

Waseca County has been stalled at 75 percent access to broadband at speeds of 100/20 Mbps for several years. We don’t hear much about broadband from Waseca, although there is a change in a local provider (Jaguar acquired by Metronet) and that might impact service. To meet the speed goals, Waseca would need to develop a relationship with a provider and build a momentum.

Broadband Access:

Computer Access:

What we learned in the past:

To meet the speed goals, Waseca would need to develop a relationship with a provider and build a momentum.

Update from 2020:

Waseca County is part of a consortium (Region 9) that using broadband for better telehealth, especially for better mental telehealth.

Part of Waseca County was served by Jaguar, which was acquired by MetroNet in July (2020). MetroNet claims they will invest $150 million to grow their Minnesota market.

Checklist:

• Find more articles on broadband in Waseca County (http://tinyurl.com/z845jwy)

• 100/20 Mbps ranking: 45 (down 3)
• Has worked with Blandin: yes
• Has received a MN Broadband grant: no
• Household density: 16.8

Details:

• Districts: CD 1
  Senate: 23, 24
  House: 23B, 24A
• Find your reps

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)

Green=served Purple=underesrved Red=unserved

Rank (from 100/20 megabits per second): 13
Code: Green

Annually, Blandin Foundation pulls together data from the Minnesota Office of Broadband Development and broadband news to gauge progress toward the state broadband goals (25 megabits per second download/3 Mbps upload by 2022 and 100 Mbps/20 Mbps by 2026). Leaders can use this information to improve broadband access and use in their communities. To see how the state is doing overall, or to compare counties, visit the Blandin Foundation interactive map. Or check out past years’ reports: 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.

Wadena County: close and getting closer

Wadena County is poised to meet the 2026 broadband speed goals. They are already at 95 percent and they will benefit from a project that received funding in the last MN Border to Border grant round.

Broadband Access:

Computer Access:

What we learned in the past:

Wadena, as part of the Resilient Region, was part of the Blandin Broadband Communities (BBC).

Wadena has benefited from a state broadband grant:

• 2015 – West Central Telephone Association Hwy 71 Wadena NORTH Expansion Project – Grant Award: $193,515

Update from 2020:

Wadena County will benefit from a project that received funding in the last MN Border to Border grant round:

• WCTA (West Central Telephone Association) – Rural Staples Phase I Project – GRANT $555,355
  This last mile project will serve 69 unserved households and 40 unserved businesses, farms, and community anchor institutions in areas of Staples and Villard townships in Todd County; areas of Thomastown township in Wadena County; and areas of Becker township in Cass County. In a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota, Sourcewell, and Region 5, WCTA will improve broadband service levels up to 1 Gbps download and 1 Gbps upload, exceeding the 2022 and 2026 state speed goals. Broadband access will allow farmers and ranchers to follow markets, talk with customers and reach new markets, and use the latest precision agriculture tools to enhance their operations. The broadband network will improve access to health care, specifically mental health and senior care through e-visits and tele-health applications. Broadband will also help business owners manage remotely and could stimulate the local economy.
• Total eligible cost is $1,234,123
• Local match is $678,768

Checklist:

• Find more articles on broadband in Wadena County (http://tinyurl.com/z7xgkz8)

• 100/20 Mbps ranking: 13 (up 6)
• Has worked with Blandin
• Has received a MN Broadband grant
• Household density: 10.5

Details:

• Districts: CD 8
  Senate: 02, 09
  House: 02B, 09A
• Find your reps

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)

Green=served Purple=underesrved Red=unserved

Rank (from 100/20 megabits per second): 63
Code: Red

Annually, Blandin Foundation pulls together data from the Minnesota Office of Broadband Development and broadband news to gauge progress toward the state broadband goals (25 megabits per second download/3 Mbps upload by 2022 and 100 Mbps/20 Mbps by 2026). Leaders can use this information to improve broadband access and use in their communities. To see how the state is doing overall, or to compare counties, visit the Blandin Foundation interactive map. Or check out past years’ reports: 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.

Wabasha County: stalled at 66 percent access

Wabasha County benefited from a state grant a few years ago. There hasn’t been much activity since then.

Broadband Access:

Computer Access:

What we learned in the past:

Wabasha has benefited from a state broadband grant:

• 2016 – NEW ULM TELECOM, INC. MAZEPPA – GRANT: $ 317,761

Update from 2020:

No broadband news has been reported from Wabasha County since the last profile was posted.

Checklist:

• Find more articles on broadband in Wabasha County (http://tinyurl.com/gpllcg8)

• 100/20 Mbps ranking: 63 (down 3)
• Has worked with Blandin: no
• Has received a MN Broadband grant: yes
• Household density: 16

Details:

• Districts: CD 2
  Senate: 21
  House: 21A, 21B
• Find your reps

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)

Green=served Purple=underesrved Red=unserved

Rank (from 100/20 megabits per second): 78
Code: Red

Annually, Blandin Foundation pulls together data from the Minnesota Office of Broadband Development and broadband news to gauge progress toward the state broadband goals (25 megabits per second download/3 Mbps upload by 2022 and 100 Mbps/20 Mbps by 2026). Leaders can use this information to improve broadband access and use in their communities. To see how the state is doing overall, or to compare counties, visit the Blandin Foundation interactive map. Or check out past years’ reports: 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.

Traverse County: on bottom 10 list for broadband

Traverse County made a deal with a wireless provider in 2018; the county helped them to get started and setup. The provider has been successful but the connections available do not meet the 100/20 Mbps or 25/3 Mbps speed goals. But as someone from the county pointed out at the time, it was better than what they had.

With a population density of 2.6, Traverse is unlikely to get better service until they mobilize to get it.

Broadband Access:

Computer Access:

What we learned in the past:

In 2017, Mediacom has announced upgrades to Gig service in parts of Traverse County, specifically Wheaton. Traverse is also getting almost $2 million in FCC funding but that is over the next 10 years. In 2018, they shared that they cut a deal where the county lent a fixed wireless company money and provided some easier access to towers. It was successful. It’s wireless. It’s maybe not 25/3 Mbps but it’s better than what people had before.

Update from 2020:

No broadband news has been reported from Traverse County since the last profile was posted.

Checklist:

• Find more articles on broadband in Traverse County (http://tinyurl.com/gmvojv8)

• 100/20 Mbps ranking: 78 (down 7)
• Has worked with Blandin: yes
• Has received a MN Broadband grant: no
• Household density: 2.6

Details:

• Districts: CD 7
  Senate: 12
  House: 12A
• Find your reps

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)

Green=served Purple=underesrved Red=unserved

Rank (from 100/20 megabits per second): 79
Code: Red

Annually, Blandin Foundation pulls together data from the Minnesota Office of Broadband Development and broadband news to gauge progress toward the state broadband goals (25 megabits per second download/3 Mbps upload by 2022 and 100 Mbps/20 Mbps by 2026). Leaders can use this information to improve broadband access and use in their communities. To see how the state is doing overall, or to compare counties, visit the Blandin Foundation interactive map. Or check out past years’ reports: 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.

Todd County: on bottom 10 list for broadband

Working with the Blandin Foundation, Todd County has been focused on better broadband for a long time. They have benefited from MN Border to Border grants; and they will benefit again on a project that received funding in the last grant round. But Todd County needs help.

They are hovering at 50 percent for access to 100/20 Mbps and 25/3 Mbps. That means half of the county is unserved. Residents must feel the lack of access. In May 2019, CTC announced plans to build out to Todd County, which is likely the cause of the increase in access to 100/20 Mbps. Hopefully the build out is continuing. That would be a real boon to Todd County.

Broadband Access:

Computer Access:

What we learned in the past:

Working with the Blandin Foundation, Todd County has been focused on better broadband for a long time. In May 2019, CTC announced plans to build out to Todd County.

Todd County has benefited from a MN broadband grant:

• 2017 – WCTA (West Central Telephone Association) – Northern Todd County – GRANT $902,695
• 2014 – Arvig (Mainstreet Communications LLC), Sauk Lake area $

Update from 2020:

Todd County will benefit from a project that received MN Border to Border funding in the last round:

• 2019: WCTA (West Central Telephone Association) – Rural Staples Phase I Project – GRANT $555,355
  This last mile project will serve 69 unserved households and 40 unserved businesses, farms, and community anchor institutions in areas of Staples and Villard townships in Todd County; areas of Thomastown township in Wadena County; and areas of Becker township in Cass County. In a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota, Sourcewell, and Region 5, WCTA will improve broadband service levels up to 1 Gbps download and 1 Gbps upload, exceeding the 2022 and 2026 state speed goals. Broadband access will allow farmers and ranchers to follow markets, talk with customers and reach new markets, and use the latest precision agriculture tools to enhance their operations. The broadband network will improve access to health care, specifically mental health and senior care through e-visits and tele-health applications. Broadband will also help business owners manage remotely and could stimulate the local economy.
• Total eligible cost is $1,234,123
• Local match is $678,768

Checklist:

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

• 100/20 Mbps ranking: 79 (no change)
• Has worked with Blandin: yes
• Has received a MN Broadband grant: yes
• Household density: 10

Details:

• Districts: CD 7
  Senate: 09
  House: 09A, 09B
• Find your reps

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)

Green=served Purple=underesrved Red=unserved

Rank (from 100/20 megabits per second): 4
Code: Green

Annually, Blandin Foundation pulls together data from the Minnesota Office of Broadband Development and broadband news to gauge progress toward the state broadband goals (25 megabits per second download/3 Mbps upload by 2022 and 100 Mbps/20 Mbps by 2026). Leaders can use this information to improve broadband access and use in their communities. To see how the state is doing overall, or to compare counties, visit the Blandin Foundation interactive map. Or check out past years’ reports: 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.

Swift County: Top five broadband access status

Swift County’s partnership with Federated Telephone has provided nearly ubiquitous coverage. Along with access, Swift County is well served because in 2015, Federated Telephone (now Acira) got a $4.9 million MN Broadband grant to bring Fiber to the Home (FTTH) to the county. There are a few patches without service; Appleton is not served because at the time they were considered served and did not qualify for the grant-funded upgrade. TO get ubiquitous coverage, they will need to find a way to cover Appleton.

Swift County has been working on creating a culture of use by participating in the current  Blandin Broadband Community (BBC) cohort. Projects were reimagined a little with COVID, but in many ways the participation in BBC helped them be better prepared for the COVID restrictions.

COVID exacerbated the difference between the haves and have-nots. Some were able to work, learn and see a doctor from home. Others were not and the community worked to try to accommodate that difference. But it leaves a digital divide and causes people to spend time, energy and money to try to remedy the situation – instead of moving forward with innovation.

Broadband Access:

Computer Access:

What we learned in the past:

Swift County’s partnership with Federated Telephone has provided nearly ubiquitous coverage. Along with access, Swift County has been working on creating a culture of use by participating in the current  Blandin Broadband Community (BBC) cohort.

Swift County has benefited from two broadband grants:

• 2015 – Federated Telephone Cooperative – Swift County FTTP 2015 – Grant award: $4,950,000
• 2015 – MVTV Wireless Middle Mile – Grant award: $808,080

Update from 2020:

Swift County is a Blandin Broadband Community. The Blandin Broadband team got to meet with them several times to talk about the various projects, such as setting up camping reservations, a resource that will likely see more action after COVID-19 restrictions, computer distribution through PCs for People and working with local businesses to help them make the best use of digital marketing.

Is broadband a help or hindrance in dealing with COVID?
Swift County met with Blandin on Broadband to talk about how their broadband situation helped or hindered the ability to deal with COVID restrictions.

Despite their almost ubiquitous broadband, COVID exacerbated the difference between the haves and the have-nots. We heard from folks in both camps. Amanda has fiber. When the schools moved to distance education in the spring, she invited family from Little Falls to stay with them because they had better broadband. Their home connection served three adults working and four kids going to school. They never had a technology problem. Cindy was on the opposite end of the spectrum. She and her husband tried to work online from home, but they couldn’t work at the same time. For example, if one was on a Zoom call, the other couldn’t check Facebook.

The community tried to rally around the inequity, with wifi extensions at the library, mobile hotspots and the local healthcare facility created a room where folks without broadband could come to get online to take advantage of telehealth options.

Checklist:

• Find more articles on broadband in Swift County (http://tinyurl.com/zfptnnz)

• 100/20 Mbps ranking: 4 (down 1)
• Has worked with Blandin: yes
• Has received a MN Broadband grant: yes
• Household density: 5.6

Details:

• Districts: CD 7
  Senate: 17
  House: 17A
• Find your reps

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)

Green=served Purple=underesrved Red=unserved

Rank (from 100/20 megabits per second): 11
Code: Green

Annually, Blandin Foundation pulls together data from the Minnesota Office of Broadband Development and broadband news to gauge progress toward the state broadband goals (25 megabits per second download/3 Mbps upload by 2022 and 100 Mbps/20 Mbps by 2026). Leaders can use this information to improve broadband access and use in their communities. To see how the state is doing overall, or to compare counties, visit the Blandin Foundation interactive map. Or check out past years’ reports: 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.

Stevens County: Decent coverage but not much community engagement

Stevens County has been involved with broadband for years. They participated in the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA)-funded, Blandin Foundation-led, Minnesota Intelligent Rural Communities (2009-2012) effort to promote use of broadband across rural Minnesota. They are well served but have been stalled at “nearly there” status for as long as we’ve been tracking. They will likely need a push to get to ubiquitous broadband at speeds of 100/20 Mbps.

Broadband Access:

Computer Access:

What we learned in the past:

Stevens County has been involved with broadband for a while. They participated in the ARRA-funded, Blandin Foundation-led, Minnesota Intelligent Rural Communities (2009-2012) effort to promote use of broadband across rural Minnesota.

Stevens County has benefited from two MN broadband grants:

• 2017 – Advantenon – Rural Grant, Stevens and Wilkin Counties – Grant $316,554
• 2014 – Otter Tail Telcom, Swan Lake West – Award: $438,937.

Update from 2020:

No broadband news from Stevens County since the last broadbadn profile.

Checklist:

• Find more articles on broadband in Stevens County (http://tinyurl.com/joutu2h)

• 100/20 Mbps ranking: 11 (down 1)
• Has worked with Blandin: yes
• Has received a MN Broadband grant: yes
• Household density: 6.5

Details:

• Districts: CD 7
  Senate: 12
  House: 12A
• Find your reps

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)

Green=served Purple=underesrved Red=unserved

Rank (from 100/20 megabits per second): 25
Code: Yellow

Annually, Blandin Foundation pulls together data from the Minnesota Office of Broadband Development and broadband news to gauge progress toward the state broadband goals (25 megabits per second download/3 Mbps upload by 2022 and 100 Mbps/20 Mbps by 2026). Leaders can use this information to improve broadband access and use in their communities. To see how the state is doing overall, or to compare counties, visit the Blandin Foundation interactive map. Or check out past years’ reports: 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.

Steele County: Decent coverage but not much community engagement

Steele County has not worked with the Blandin Foundation. They have never received a MN Border to Border grant. They are home to Jaguar Communications, which probably helps with the level of broadband that they have. Jaguar was acquired in June (2020), which may have an impact on the community. The population density in the county is quite good so there may be a business case to serve the area. If not, they may need to think about infrastructure from a community perspective to encourage more broadband.

Broadband Access:

Computer Access:

What we learned in the past:

Steele County has not worked with the Blandin Foundation. They have never received a MN Border to Border grant.

Update from 2020:

Part of Steele County was served by Jaguar, which was acquired by MetroNet in July (2020). MetroNet claims they will invest $150 million to grow their Minnesota market.

Checklist:

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

• 100/20 Mbps ranking: 25 (down 3)
• Has worked with Blandin: no
• Has received a MN Broadband grant: no
• Household density: 33.1

Details:

• Districts: CD 1
  Senate: 24, 27
  House: 24A, 24B, 27A
• Find your reps

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)

Green=served Purple=underesrved Red=unserved

Rank (from 100/20 megabits per second): 33
Code: Yellow

Annually, Blandin Foundation pulls together data from the Minnesota Office of Broadband Development and broadband news to gauge progress toward the state broadband goals (25 megabits per second download/3 Mbps upload by 2022 and 100 Mbps/20 Mbps by 2026). Leaders can use this information to improve broadband access and use in their communities. To see how the state is doing overall, or to compare counties, visit the Blandin Foundation interactive map. Or check out past years’ reports: 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.

Stearns County: steady, incremental improvement

Stearns County has benefited from MN Border to Border grants in the past, which is likely how they saw great coverage increase between 2018 and 2019. They will benefit again this year, as a project in their area received funding in the last round of MN Border to Border grants. In fact, the Governor visited the Stearns County to announce the grants, which is a nice way to build excitement in that area. Stearns has also heard from other providers who are interested in serving the area. They just need to make sure that those providers serve broadband to 100/20 Mbps if they want to make the 2026 speed goal.

Broadband Access:

Computer Access:

What we learned in the past:

Stearns County has benefited from two MN broadband grants:

• 2017 – Albany Mutual Telephone Association – Two Rivers Area – GRANT $616,743
• 2016 – ALBANY MUTUAL TELEPHONE ASSOCIATION BIG WATAB LAKE – GRANT: $726,185

Stearns County also is in line to  benefit from FCC funding because Midcontinent Communications will receive $719,916 over  ten years to expand services in Stearns County.

Update from 2020:

Stearns County hosted Governor Walz for the announcement of the Border to Border grant awards. Midco announced news service in the area last fall (Oct 2019); $2.1 million technology and facility investment that opens the way for the gigabit internet service. From Midco’s St. Joseph facility, the gigabit service branches out to 15 other Central Minnesota cities. About the same time Meeker Cooperative announced a change in its service area, which includes Meeker County, when it announced in November that it had begun installing a fiber optic backbone, connecting its 14 substations throughout the county to provide Vibrant Broadband. Unfortunately, the service does not get to the 100/20 Mbps speed goal: In a test it conducted earlier this year, Meeker Cooperative found download speed with Vibrant Broadband is approximately 50/8.

Stearns County will benefit from a Border to Border grant awarded in the last round:

• Arvig (Melrose Telephone Company) – Eden Valley & Melrose Area Project – GRANT $393,890
  This middle and last mile project will upgrade approximately 84 unserved and 336 underserved locations in the Rice Lake and Brown Lake areas in rural Stearns County, and part of the Melrose industrial park near Interstate 94. In a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota and the City of Melrose, Arvig will improve broadband service levels up to 1 Gbps download and 1 Gbps upload, exceeding the 2022 and 2026 state speed goals. Having this advanced access to the Melrose industrial park will address the needs of existing businesses and attract additional businesses. The rural Eden Valley portion of the project will see improved quality of life, including opportunities for business, education, health care, and telecommuting options.
• Total eligible project cost is $1,125,400
• Local match is $731,510

Checklist:

• Find more articles on broadband in Stearns County (http://tinyurl.com/z463nan)

• 100/20 Mbps ranking: 33 (down 1)
• Has worked with Blandin: yes
• Has received a MN Broadband grant: no
• Household density: 40.5

Details:

• Districts: CD 6
  Senate: 12, 13, 14
  House: 12B, 13A, 13B, 14A, 14B
• Find your reps

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)