Rank: 16
Code: Green
(See Blandin Foundation interactive map)

Washington County: nearly there with a grant in process

Washington County ranks 16 for broadband access out of 87 counties. They have hovered from 97.09 percent coverage to broadband of 100 Mbps down and 20 up. They have 2404 households without access to broadband at that speed. Estimates indicate that it will cost $22.4 million to get to ubiquitous broadband in the county.

Washington County in part of the 7-metro county region. It has some suburban areas and some rural areas. So, some areas attract providers while other areas need incentive. They have been stalled for many years now and there seems to be little engagement outside of Scandia and that is how their code has been escalated from green to yellow.

In December 2022, MidContinent received $975,131 in Border to Border funding to bring gigabit broadband service to 1,075 households, businesses and farms in Grant, Hugo, and Stillwater. In 2023, MidCo received $1.6 million to serve 575 households, businesses, farms and community anchor institutions in May Township. Comcast has three applications in to the latest (still open) round of Border to Border funding; results should be available in early 2024.

In 2023, Scandia started working on a 5-year broadband plan.

With an increase in coverage and ongoing provider attention, Washington has shifted from yellow to green ranking.

Broadband Access:

Grants

• 2023: Midco – Midco May Township – GRANT $1,580,300
• 2022: Midcontinent Communications, $975,131

• 2019: Midco (Midcontinent Communications) – Scandia Project – GRANT $510,358

• MN State Grant awarded in 2021: Midco (Midcontinent Communications) – Scandia – GRANT $78,824 This last mile project will serve 78 underserved households and one underserved business in remote neighborhoods of Scandia in Washington County.

Checklist:

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

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)

The maps below on the left comes from the Office of Broadband Development interactive map, reflecting data updated on Oct 31, 2023. Red dots represent locations unserved with wireline broadband; the Orange dots represent underserved locations. The map on the right comes from the FCC National Broadband map showing access to wired and licensed fixed wireless access, the darker the color, the greater percentage of broadband coverage.

Rank: 8
Code: Green
(See Blandin Foundation interactive map)

Wadena County: into the top 10!

Wadena County ranks 8 for broadband access out of 87 counties. They have 99.32 percent coverage to broadband of 100 Mbps down and 20 up. They have 38 households without access to broadband at that speed. Estimates indicate that it will cost $353400 to get to ubiquitous broadband in the county.

Wadena County saw a great jump in access in 2019. There has bee incremental improvement since then and now they are 38 households away from ubiquitous coverage.

They retain their green ranking.

Grants:

• 2015 – West Central Telephone Association Hwy 71 Wadena NORTH Expansion Project – Grant Award: $193,515
• WCTA (West Central Telephone Association) – Rural Staples Phase I Project – GRANT $555,355

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

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)

The maps below on the left comes from the Office of Broadband Development interactive map, reflecting data updated on Oct 31, 2023. Red dots represent locations unserved with wireline broadband; the Orange dots represent underserved locations. The map on the right comes from the FCC National Broadband map showing access to wired and licensed fixed wireless access, the darker the color, the greater percentage of broadband coverage.

Rank: 10
Code: Green
(See Blandin Foundation interactive map)

Swift County: Almost there

Swift County ranks 10 (up one point) for broadband access out of 87 counties. They have 98.94 percent coverage to broadband of 100 Mbps down and 20 up. They have 45 households without access to broadband at that speed. There is a slight dip in access this year but it is within a margin of error and may simply reflect a more granular look at access. Estimates indicate that it will cost $418500 to get to ubiquitous broadband in the county.

Swift County benefited from Federated Telephone’s Border to Border grant in 2015. They have hovered between 97-99 percent coverage to broadband of 100 Mbps down and 20 up since 2019. They are so close to goal; they retain their green ranking.

Past grants:

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

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

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)

The maps below on the left comes from the Office of Broadband Development interactive map, reflecting data updated on Oct 31, 2023. Red dots represent locations unserved with wireline broadband; the Orange dots represent underserved locations. The map on the right comes from the FCC National Broadband map showing access to wired and licensed fixed wireless access, the darker the color, the greater percentage of broadband coverage.

Rank: 18
Code: Green
(See Blandin Foundation interactive map)

Stevens County: Good coverage but need a bump up

Stevens County ranks 18 (down 5 points) for broadband access out of 87 counties. They have 96.06 percent coverage to broadband of 100 Mbps down and 20 up. They have 124 households without access to broadband at that speed. Estimates indicate that it will cost $1.1 million to get to ubiquitous broadband in the county.

Stevens County has been involved with broadband for years – going back to working with Blandin Foundation-led, Minnesota Intelligent Rural Communities (2009-2012) effort.

They have been stalled at 97 percent, with a slight dip this year, which is likely based on map challenges and corrections.

In December 2022, Runestone Telephone received $2.5 million to expand broadband in Grant, Stevens, and Traverse Counties.

Stevens County retains their green ranking because they are so close to goal but they will need a push to close the gap.

Broadband Access:

Grants:

• 2022: Runestone Telephone Association – Herman-Dumont – GRANT $2,493,637
• 2017 – Advantenon – Rural Grant, Stevens and Wilkin Counties – Grant $316,554
• 2014 – Otter Tail Telcom, Swan Lake West – Award: $438,937.

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

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)

The maps below on the left comes from the Office of Broadband Development interactive map, reflecting data updated on Oct 31, 2023. Red dots represent locations unserved with wireline broadband; the Orange dots represent underserved locations. The map on the right comes from the FCC National Broadband map showing access to wired and licensed fixed wireless access, the darker the color, the greater percentage of broadband coverage.

Rank: 42
Code: Green
(See Blandin Foundation interactive map)

Stearns bump up from yellow to green

Stearns County ranks 42 (down nine points) for broadband access and out of 87 counties. They have 84.86 percent coverage to broadband of 100 Mbps down and 20 up. They have 7864 households without access to broadband at that speed. Estimates indicate that it will cost $73.1 million to get to ubiquitous broadband in the county.

Stearns County saw a great increase in broadband in 2019 and have been stagnant since that time.In December 22, Albany received $746,964 to serve 191 unserved homes and 42 underserved homes in rural Northeastern Stearns County and Melrose Telephone (Arvig) received almost $5 million to reach 945 unserved and 1,204 underserved households, farms and businesses in the central portion of Stearns County near the rural parts of Sauk Centre, Melrose, Meire Grove, Greenwald, Elrosa, Spring Hill, St. Martin (and in-town St. Martin), Roscoe, Farming, Richmond, Cold Spring and Eden Valley.

In 2023, Runestone Telephone received $4.8 million to bring high-speed internet to 628 households, farms, businesses and anchor institutions within rural western Stearns County. Runestone, Albany and Arvig have applications in to the latest (still open) round of Border to Border funding; results should be available in early 2024. And T-Mobile is planning to bring fiber to St Cloud in Stearns County.

While Stearns has been stagnant, the recent successful and hopeful broadband grant applications tip the Stearns ranking to green.

Grants:

• 2023: Runestone Telephone Assoc. – Stearns County West Phase 2 – GRANT $4,800,000
• 2022: Albany Mutual Telephone, $746,964.00
• 2022: Melrose Telephone Co. dba Arvig, $4,974,570.00 (Learn more)
• ReConnect funding through Upsala Cooperative Telephone Association in Morrison, Stearns and Todd counties.

• 2017 – Albany Mutual Telephone Association – Two Rivers Area – GRANT $616,743
• 2016 – ALBANY MUTUAL TELEPHONE ASSOCIATION BIG WATAB LAKE – GRANT: $726,185
• Arvig (Melrose Telephone Company) – Eden Valley & Melrose Area Project – GRANT $393,890

• MN State Grant awarded in 2021: Sytek Communications – Morrison/Todd/Stearns County FTTP Project – GRANT $1,048,668 This last mile project will bring service to 130 locations in Southwest Morrison, Southeastern Todd and Northeastern Stearns counties.

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

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)

The maps below on the left comes from the Office of Broadband Development interactive map, reflecting data updated on Oct 31, 2023. Red dots represent locations unserved with wireline broadband; the Orange dots represent underserved locations. The map on the right comes from the FCC National Broadband map showing access to wired and licensed fixed wireless access, the darker the color, the greater percentage of broadband coverage.

Rank: 33
Code: Green
(See Blandin Foundation interactive map)

Sherburne County: Great improvement

Sherburne County ranks 33 for broadband access out of 87 counties. They have 87.19 percent coverage to broadband of 100 Mbps down and 20 up. They have 7156 households without access to broadband at that speed. Estimates indicate that it will cost $66.5 million to get to ubiquitous broadband in the county.

Sherburne County has worked with the Blandin Foundation. They seemed to renew an interest in broadband post-pandemic. They went from almost 90 percent coverage to 82 percent last year. There is a slight dip likely reflects a more granular look at access and they have almost gained what they lost this year.

In December 2022, Tekstar Communications received more than $1 million to reach 27 unserved and 15 underserved households, farms and businesses near Elk River by Elk Lake Road, by the new fire station and on the west side of Twin Lakes by Nowthen AND to reach 182 unserved and 30 underserved households, farms and businesses in Haven and Clear Lake Townships in rural Sherburne County. In 2023, Arvig received  $182,576 to build to 240 unserved households near the Travelers Country Club on the Mississippi River, southeast of Clearwater. Midco has an application in to the latest (still open) round of Border to Border funding; results should be available in early 2024.

I was going to bump Sherburne’s ranking from green to yellow in part because they have not beaten the 90 percent coverage benchmark and then I saw that they met in November to make a plan for broadband. Communities that are talking about broadband and meeting with potential providers, such as Sherburne, will be in good shape when federal (BEAD) funding becomes available.

Grants

• 2023: Arvig (Tekstar) – Sherburne County Area Fiber Extension – GRANT $182,576
• 2022: Tekstar Communications, Inc. dba Arvig, $1,075,943.50 (Learn more)

• 2017 – Palmer Wireless – Sherburne County Road 3 – GRANT $110,661
• 2016 – PALMER WIRELESS BIG LAKE INDUSTRIAL PARK – GRANT: $ 90,988
• 2016 – PALMER WIRELESS DEL TONE ROAD AND ST. CLOUD AIRPORT – GRANT: $ 179,400
• 2014 – Palmer Wireless, Becker Industrial Park – Award: $151,934.

Checklist:

• Find more articles on broadband in Sibley County(http://tinyurl.com/ztm6c9n)

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)

The maps below on the left comes from the Office of Broadband Development interactive map, reflecting data updated on Oct 31, 2023. Red dots represent locations unserved with wireline broadband; the Orange dots represent underserved locations. The map on the right comes from the FCC National Broadband map showing access to wired and licensed fixed wireless access, the darker the color, the greater percentage of broadband coverage.

Rank: 21
Code:  Green
(See Blandin Foundation interactive map)

Scott County: recent grant should help edge them closer

Scott County ranks 21 for broadband access out of 87 counties. They have 93.67 percent coverage to broadband of 100 Mbps down and 20 up. They have 2892 households without access to broadband at that speed. Estimates indicate that it will cost $26.8 million to get to ubiquitous broadband in the county.

As part of the 7-county metro area, Scott County is a fairly metro county, so they have the advantage of proximity to the Twin Cities and some higher population density areas. They have had slow, incremental improvement since we have been tracking progress.

In December Nuvera received $2.4 million in Border to Border funding to serve 439 unserved and 133 underserved locations in the rural areas of Scott County. Comcast has an application in to the latest (still open) round of Border to Border funding; results should be available in early 2024. In October 2023, the County put out a request for proposals from interested broadband partners. That move will put them in a good position for funding partners when federal (BEAD) funding becomes available. They retain their green ranking.

Broadband Access:

Grants:

• 2022: Nuvera Communications, Inc., $2,436,427.00

• 2017 – Jaguar Communications – Sand Creek Township Area Broadband Project – GRANT $192,405
• 2019: BEVCOMM (Eckles Telephone Company) – Le Sueur County Project – GRANT $1,857,376

• MN State Grant awarded in 2021: Nuvera Communications, Inc. – Webster Rural FTTP – GRANT $431,260 This last mile project will serve 103 unserved and 178 underserved locations in Wheatland and Webster townships in Rice County, Euraka and Greenvale townships in Dakota County, and New Market and Cedar Lake townships in Scott County.

Find more articles on broadband in Scott County (http://tinyurl.com/gt4afcy)

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)

The maps below on the left comes from the Office of Broadband Development interactive map, reflecting data updated on Oct 31, 2023. Red dots represent locations unserved with wireline broadband; the Orange dots represent underserved locations. The map on the right comes from the FCC National Broadband map showing access to wired and licensed fixed wireless access, the darker the color, the greater percentage of broadband coverage.

Rank: 17
Code: Green
(See Blandin Foundation interactive map)

Roseau County: Incremental but consistent improvements

Roseau County ranks 17 for broadband access out of 87 counties. They have 96.5 percent coverage to broadband of 100 Mbps down and 20 up. They have 229 households without access to broadband at that speed. Estimates indicate that it will cost $2.1 million to get to ubiquitous broadband in the county.

Roseau County saw an amazing leap in broadband in 2018 – from 0 to 67 percent. They have seen incremental growth since then, including in the last year. Their continued incremental improvement has pushed them from yellow to green ranking.

Broadband Access:

Grants:

• 2017 – Wikstrom Telephone – Wiktel NW MN Broadband – GRANT $1,307,785
• 2016 – SJOBERG’S INC. ROSEAU AND LAKE OF THE WOODS COUNTIES — GRANT: $354,740
• 2016 – CENTURYLINK THIEF RIVER MIDDLE MILE – GRANT: $1,324,400
• 2016 – WIKSTROM TELEPHONE COMPANY WIKTEL NW MN – GRANT: $950,823
• 2014 – Sjoberg Cable, Broadband Grant Proposal – Award $261,575
• 2014 – Wikstrom Telephone, Kittson, Marshall, Roseau Broadband Extension Amount $425,000
• 2019: Wikstrom Telephone – Wiktel NW MN Broadband Project – GRANT $1,151,526

Find more articles on broadband in Roseau County (http://tinyurl.com/gsq45ua)

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)

The maps below on the left comes from the Office of Broadband Development interactive map, reflecting data updated on Oct 31, 2023. Red dots represent locations unserved with wireline broadband; the Orange dots represent underserved locations. The map on the right comes from the FCC National Broadband map showing access to wired and licensed fixed wireless access, the darker the color, the greater percentage of broadband coverage.

Rank: 1
Code: Green
(See Blandin Foundation interactive map)

Rock County: Perfect

Rock County ranks 1 for broadband access out of 87 counties. They have 100 percent coverage to broadband of 100 Mbps down and 20 up. They have 0 households without access to broadband at that speed.

After hovering at more than 99 percent coverage for years, Rock County can now celebrate ubiquitous coverage. They share top ranking with Lincoln and Red Lake Counties.

Broadband Access:

Grants:

• 2015 – MVTV Wireless Middle Mile – Grant award: $808,080
• 2014 – Rock County Broadband Alliance (RCBA), FTTP Project – Award: $5 million.

Find more articles on broadband in Rock County (http://tinyurl.com/jjeesst)

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)

The maps below on the left comes from the Office of Broadband Development interactive map, reflecting data updated on Oct 31, 2023. Red dots represent locations unserved with wireline broadband; the Orange dots represent underserved locations. The map on the right comes from the FCC National Broadband map showing access to wired and licensed fixed wireless access, the darker the color, the greater percentage of broadband coverage.

Rank: 1
Code: Green
(See Blandin Foundation interactive map)

Red Lake County: Two years of ubiquitous broadband

Red Lake County ranks 1 for broadband access out of 87 counties. They have 100 percent coverage to broadband of 100 Mbps down and 20 up. They have 0 households without access to broadband at that speed. Estimates indicate that it will cost 0 to get to ubiquitous broadband in the county.

Red Lake County can bask in the glory of their second year with ubiquitous broadband. They share top ranking with Lincoln and Rock Counties.

Past grant:

• None

Find more articles on broadband in Red Lake County (http://tinyurl.com/gt8g24c)

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)

The maps below on the left comes from the Office of Broadband Development interactive map, reflecting data updated on Oct 31, 2023. Red dots represent locations unserved with wireline broadband; the Orange dots represent underserved locations. The map on the right comes from the FCC National Broadband map showing access to wired and licensed fixed wireless access, the darker the color, the greater percentage of broadband coverage.

Rank: 4
Code: Green
(See Blandin Foundation interactive map)

Ramsey County: nearly at 2026 goal already

Ramsey County ranks 4 (up one point) for broadband access out of 87 counties. They have had more than 99 percent coverage to broadband of 100 Mbps down and 20 up. They have 28 households without access to broadband at that speed. Estimates indicate that it will cost $260400 to get to ubiquitous broadband in the county.

Ramsey County is a metro-based county where the market makes it feasible for broadband providers to serve broadband profitably. Even with coverage, they still get providers, such as WOW, building in the area.

Ramset County has also been working on Digital Inclusion. They held a digital inclusion summit in late 2022 and created a Connectivity Blueprint in 2023 to smooth a path to digital equity.

The have a green ranking.

Past grants:

None

Find more articles on https://bit.ly/2kgeboX

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)

The maps below on the left comes from the Office of Broadband Development interactive map, reflecting data updated on Oct 31, 2023. Red dots represent locations unserved with wireline broadband; the Orange dots represent underserved locations. The map on the right comes from the FCC National Broadband map showing access to wired and licensed fixed wireless access, the darker the color, the greater percentage of broadband coverage.

Rank: 43
Code:  Green
(See Blandin Foundation interactive map)

Pope County: latest grant project will make a difference

Pope County ranks 43 (up 3 points) for broadband access out of 87 counties. They have 84.65 percent coverage to broadband of 100 Mbps down and 20 up. They have 911 households without access to broadband at that speed. Estimates indicate that it will cost $8.4million to get to ubiquitous broadband in the county.

Pope County had incremental improvement to broadband until now but saw a little bump in the last year. In December 2022, Hanson Communications received $4.3 million in Border to Border money to serve 504 underserved locations and 553 unserved locations in the greater Southeast Pope County area, Minnesota.

They continue on the march with a yellow ranking.

Grant:

• 2022: Hanson Communications, Inc., $4,248,796.00

• 2017 – Hanson Communications – Minnewaska Area FTTP – GRANT $4,996,791

Checklist:

• Find more articles on broadband in Pope County (http://tinyurl.com/hx7q9fd)

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)

The maps below on the left comes from the Office of Broadband Development interactive map, reflecting data updated on Oct 31, 2023. Red dots represent locations unserved with wireline broadband; the Orange dots represent underserved locations. The map on the right comes from the FCC National Broadband map showing access to wired and licensed fixed wireless access, the darker the color, the greater percentage of broadband coverage.

Rank: 7
Code: Green
(See Blandin Foundation interactive map)

Pennington County: Still on top 7 list

Pennington County ranks 7 for broadband access out of 87 counties. They have 99.53 percent coverage to broadband of 100 Mbps down and 20 up. They have 26 households without access to broadband at that speed. Estimates indicate that it will cost $241,800 to get to ubiquitous broadband in the county.

In 2018, Pennington went from 9 percent access to 90 percent with the help of state (border to border) and federal loan (USDA to Garden Valley). They have had steady improvement ever since, which is why they earn a green code.

Grants:

• 2017 – Sjoberg’s Inc. – NW MN Rural Broadband – GRANT $307,088
• 2016 – CENTURYLINK THIEF RIVER MIDDLE MILE – GRANT: $1,324,400
• 2016 – GARDEN VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY RURAL THIEF RIVER FALLS EAST – GRANT: $2,027,035
• 2019: Wikstrom Telephone – Wiktel NW MN Broadband Project – GRANT $1,151,526

Find more articles on Pennington County https://blandinonbroadband.org/?s=pennington&submit=Search

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)

The maps below on the left comes from the Office of Broadband Development interactive map, reflecting data updated on Oct 31, 2023. Red dots represent locations unserved with wireline broadband; the Orange dots represent underserved locations. The map on the right comes from the FCC National Broadband map showing access to wired and licensed fixed wireless access, the darker the color, the greater percentage of broadband coverage.

Rank: 19
Code: Green
(See Blandin Foundation interactive map)

Olmsted County: almost there

Olmsted County ranks 19 (down two points) for broadband access out of 87 counties. They have 95.42 percent coverage to broadband of 100 Mbps down and 20 up. They have 2378 households without access to broadband at that speed. Estimates indicate that it will cost $22.1 million to get to ubiquitous broadband in the county.

Olmsted County is nearly there, which is why they retain the green code. They are the home of the Mayo Clinic, which acts as an anchor for providers looking to expand service.

In December 2022, Kasson & Mantorville Telephone got $1.6 million to serve 119 unserved households, 7 unserved businesses, and 82 unserved farms for a total of 208 serviceable addresses. In 2023, KM Telecom got almost $2 million to serve 221 households, businesses, farms, and community institutions.

Grants:

• 2023: KM Telecom – Rural Byron & Salem Corners Fiber Build – GRANT $1,931,046
• 2022: Kasson & Mantorville Telephone Company, $1,620,007.00

• 2016 – KMTELECOM RURAL MANTORVILLE – GRANT: $764,663
• 2019: BEVCOMM (Pine Island Telephone Company) – NE Pine Island Fiber Project Phase I – GRANT $222,222

• MN State Grants awarded in 2021: Charter Communications (Spectrum) – Cambridge Hills – GRANT $28,950 This middle and last mile project will serve approximately 41 unserved households in Marion Township in Olmsted County.

• KMTelecom – Rock Dell Northwest Fiber Build – GRANT $385,173 This last mile project will serve approximately 125 unserved locations in the rural Ashland and Vernon townships in Dodge County and Salem Township in Olmsted County.

Find more articles on broadband in Olmsted County (http://tinyurl.com/gmslyhe)

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)

The maps below on the left comes from the Office of Broadband Development interactive map, reflecting data updated on Oct 31, 2023. Red dots represent locations unserved with wireline broadband; the Orange dots represent underserved locations. The map on the right comes from the FCC National Broadband map showing access to wired and licensed fixed wireless access, the darker the color, the greater percentage of broadband coverage.