Green=served Purple=underesrved Red=unserved

Rank (from 100/20 megabits per second): 76
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.

Carlton County: Improvement will be expense, but they are looking

To meet the speed goals for 2026, Carlton County needs to act. They are one of several counties that is served primary with one national provider, who may not be as invested locally as a local provider or cooperative. They recognize the need for improvement; they need to find a way to make it happen.

Broadband Access:

Computer Access:

What we learned in the past:

In 2017, Carlton benefited from a MN state broadband grant:

• 2017 – Carlton County w/ Frontier – Phase I: Cromwell/Kettle River – GRANT: $569,058

Unfortunately, that grant aimed at building to 25/3 Mbps. Last year we saw that much of Carlton County is served by one large national provider. That is likely a bottleneck to better access.

Update from 2020:

In May (2020), local media pointed out the inequity in broadband coverage in Carlton County…

According to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, vast swaths of rural Carlton County are either unserved or underserved by broadband internet services. …

While larger cities and those relatively close to the I-35 corridor like Cloquet, Carlton and Moose Lake enjoy ideal speeds, the more rural communities like Cromwell, Wrenshall and Kettle River are underserved at best.

Fond du Lac Reservation, adjacent to Carlton County has received a Border to Border grant in the latest round that may or may not help Carlton in the future:

• Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa – Big Lake Road Project – GRANT $602,916
  This last mile project will upgrade approximately 37 unserved and 99 underserved locations in a portion of Carlton County located within the boundaries of the Fond du Lac Reservation, including the western part of the City of Cloquet and Perch Lake Township. In a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa will improve broadband service levels up to 1 Gbps download and 1 Gbps upload, meeting or exceeding the 2022 and 2026 state speed goals. By building a fiber to the home network, faster internet speeds will open up many opportunities such as telemedicine, home health care, electronic health records, online schooling, business development and more. All of these factors will assist in creating a more vibrant community and region.
• Total eligible cost is $1,205,832
• Local match is $602,916

Checklist:

• Find more articles on broadband in Carlton County. (http://tinyurl.com/z4me5k4)
• 100/20 Mbps ranking: 76 (down 3)
• Has worked with Blandin: yes
• Has received a MN Broadband grant: yes
• Household density: 15.5

Details:

• Districts: CD 8
  Senate: 11
  House: 11A
• 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): 7
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.

Big Stone County: remains in top 10 ranking for broadband at speeds of 100/20

In 2018, after partnering with Federated Telephone Cooperative on a successful MN Border to Border grant, Big Stone County moved to top 10 (often top 5) ranking for access to 100/20 Mbps broadband. Their broadband access remains the same; their ranking slips only because other counties are doing even better. It’s good to see their recent involvement in the State Telecommuter Forward program, showing an interest in broadband promotion and use as well as access.

Broadband Access:

Computer Access:

What we learned in the past:

In 2014, Big Stone benefited from a MN state broadband grant:

• 2014 – Federated Telephone Cooperative, Big Stone County

That moved them from pretty good status to contenders in 2018.

Update from 2020:

Big Stone County was named one of 23 Telecommuter Forward communities by the State in August 2020. How this will manifest during COVID is yet to be seen but it shows an interest in broadband adoption.

Checklist:

• Find more articles on broadband in Big Stone County. (http://tinyurl.com/zfgwstd)
• 100/20 Mbps ranking: 7 (down 2)
• Has worked with Blandin: yes
• Has received a MN Broadband grant: yes
• Household density: 4.3

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): 5
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.

Beltrami County near the top and climbing

Beltrami is the home county to Paul Bunyan Telephone, a cooperative that is focused on Gigabit service to their customers/stakeholders. The provider is also invested and engaged in promoting use of the network with things such as their annual Gigazone Gaming competition. In the last year, the community has become a Telecommuter Forward community, which will further promote broadband use, especially as residents (maybe recruits) look for ways to work from home amid COVID concerns.

It’s worth noting that Beltrami County has top ranking in Minnesota for counties with Gigabit access.

Broadband Access:

Computer Access:

What we learned in the past:

Beltrami County is lucky enough to be home to Paul Bunyan Communications, a local cooperative that has chosen to upgrade their area to Gigabit speeds. Paul Bunyan also is active in the community, including by sponsoring tech-intensive events such as an annual Gigazone Gaming competition. Beltrami has not benefited from MN state grants; they have not received grants from the Blandin Foundation. They are an example of a community that benefits from fully-invested provider.

A couple years ago, Beltrami was part of a Blandin Foundation report on the Community Return on Public Investment in broadband, which found (using formulas) that with these investments Beltrami County has the potential to realize:

• A combined household economic benefit of broadband of $38,631,700 annually
• A combined increase in residential real estate value of $102,593,266

Update from 2020:

Beltrami County was named one of 23 Telecommuter Forward communities by the State in August 2020. How this will manifest during COVID is yet to be seen but it shows an interest in broadband adoption. Also Paul Bunyan received a MN Border to Border grant to bring fiber to the Leach Lake Indian Reservation and the southeast Beltrami. That work might not be done until 2021, but it might be the nudge the county needs to get top ranking. It will obviously benefit the county but improving service around the county will help expand a culture of broadband use too.

It may be worth noting that Beltrami has lower-than-average access to computers and devices, which seems unusual given the hotbed of broadband access and activity.

Checklist:

• Find more articles on broadband in Beltrami County. (http://tinyurl.com/z5yvec6)
• 100/20 Mbps ranking: 5 (up 1)
• Has worked with Blandin: no
• Has received a MN Broadband grant: no
• Household density: 5.5

Details:

• Districts: CD 7 & 8
  Senate: 2, 5
  House: 02A, 05A
• 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): 9
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.

Anoka County Top 10 but limited improvements lately

As a fairly (but not entirely) metro county, it is easier for providers to make a business case to serve Anoka. They received an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grant in 2013, which has helped serve government facilities. Their coverage has slightly slipped in the last few years, albeit by less than a percentage point. Their ranking has slipped too, as other counties improve their coverage. However, early in 2020, they began working with the Blandin Foundation to find a way to serve their unserved areas.

Broadband Access:

Computer Access:

What we learned in the past:

The County received federal (ARRA) funding in 2013. In partnership with Zayo, the County was able to build a 287-mile broadband network for government facilities.

Update from 2020:

Anoka County Regional Economic Development has been working with the Blandin Foundation’s Community Broadband Resources program to help the cities of East Bethel, Columbus, Nowthen and Linwood Township with broadband improvement projects.

City of Nowthen, East Bethel and Columbus are looking to partner with one or more providers to build out the last-mile fiber network to all those unserved or underserved in their community. They are considering a variety of strategies and funding to solve their broadband issues.

Linwood Township is partnering with Midco to connect a 50+ single family development to broadband services.  Linwood is also considering options to improve fiber connections in other unserved or underserved portions of their community.

Checklist:

• Find more articles on broadband in Anoka County.(http://tinyurl.com/zuvt4x7)
• 100/20 Mbps ranking: 8 (down 1 from 2018)
• Has worked with Blandin: yes
• Has received a MN Broadband grant: yes
• Household density: 271.7

Details

• Districts: CD 6
  Senate: 31, 35, 36, 37, 38, 41
  House: 31A, 31B, 35A, 35B, 36A, 36B, 37A, 37B, 38A, 41A, 41B
• 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): 80
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.

Aitkin County ranked low but making improvements

Aitkin County has seen a little broadband expansion since the last annual county broadband profile; their ranking (for 100/20 Mbps access) has dropped from 80 to 81. The good news is that the maps were created in April and we have seen some improvements over the summer; but they have a long way to go.

The county has been working on broadband for years and, like last year, they are gaining traction. They received $1.9 million in funding from the USDA and another $1.8 million from MN Border to Border grants. They have a continued partnership with the Blandin Foundation, which has supported some broadband improvements and broadband adoption.

They were at a code RED in terms of broadband preparedness; optimistically, I upgrade them to yellow. The county is making a big push, although one barrier for them is that much of the county is served by one, large national provider.

Broadband Access:

Computer Access:

What we learned in the past:

Aitkin County government and residents have long been organized to promote broadband access and adoption. From 2015-2016, they worked with Blandin Foundation as part of the Central Woodlands Blandin Broadband Communities Cohort and, more recently, they have been part of the IRBC (Iron Range Broadband Communities) cohort. Last year we saw that much of Aitkin County is served by one large national provider. That is likely a bottleneck to better access. But the county persists. They have benefited from two MN state grants in their area:

• 2017 – SCI – Shamrock Township Broadband Expansion – GRANT $148,503
• 2016 – MILLE LACS ENERGY COOPERATIVE FTTP PROJECT – GRANT: $1,757,640
  

Update from 2020:

The area received $1.9 million in USDA funding and almost $2 million in MN Border to Border grants. Those projects are being deployed this summer (2020). Waukenabo Township celebrated the start of Fiber to the Home in August. They were also able to use IRBC (Blandin) grant funds to improve access in some places. 

In May, the Blandin Foundation Broadband Team visited with the county to hear about how broadband adoption programs were going. Access, seniors and healthcare had been hot topics.  COVID happened as they were deploying many projects, including some essential healthcare projects. So COVID helped patients adopt and broadband helped patients be safe.  They were able to serve 900 patients online (with their new MyChart enhancements) in the first few weeks of the quarantine because they were prepared. You can see the whole conversation in the video below.

NEW MN GRANTS:

• Emily Cooperative Telephone Company – Round Lake Fiber Project – GRANT $376,000
  This last mile project will upgrade approximately 242 unserved and 103 underserved locations in the Esquagamah Lake and Round Lake areas of Aitkin County. In a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota and Aitkin County, Emily Cooperative Telephone Company will improve broadband service levels up to 1 Gbps download and 1 Gbps upload, exceeding the 2022 and 2026 state speed goals. The use and development of broadband will provide various home-based business options, stimulate economic growth, and stimulate innovation and investment.
• Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative (MLEC) – MLEC Phase 3 FTTH Project with CTC – GRANT $1,253,955
  This last mile project will serve 282 unserved and 225 underserved households, businesses and farms in areas of Farm Island and Nordland Townships in Aitkin County. In a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota, CTC, and Aitkin County, MLEC will improve broadband service levels up to 1 Gbps download and 1 Gbps upload, exceeding the 2022 and 2026 state speed goals. The use and development of broadband will provide new and improved home-based business options, stimulate economic growth, and encourage innovation and investment in the area. Education, health care, energy efficiency, and public safety will also be advanced with access to broadband Internet.
• SCI Broadband (Savage Communications Inc.) – Glen Township Broadband Expansion Project – GRANT $195,848
  This last mile project will serve 269 unserved homes, three unserved businesses, three unserved farms, one unserved community institution and five underserved homes in areas of Glen Township in Aitkin County. In a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota and Aitkin County, SCI Broadband will improve broadband service levels up to 250 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload, exceeding the 2022 and 2026 state speed goals. SCI will leverage its existing middle mile infrastructure to deploy a last mile fiber to the premise network to local businesses and residents. Building the fiber to the premise network will improve access to education, telemedicine, telecommuting, and economic development as a whole within the region.

Checklist:

• Find more articles on broadband in Aitkin County. (http://tinyurl.com/hdqdmhr)
• 100/20 Mbps ranking: 80 (down 1 from 2019)
• Has worked with Blandin: yes
• Has received a MN Broadband grant(s): yes
• Household density: 3.7

Details:

• Districts: CD 8
  Senate: 10
  House: 10B
  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)