Rank: 50
Code: Green
(See Blandin Foundation interactive map)

Wright County: still stalled at 80 percent coverage

Wright County ranks 65 (up 15 places) for broadband access out of 87 counties. After a few years of stalling and inconsistent mapping, Wright saw a nice increase in access likely due to several MN State broadband grants in 2023. They are in line to benefit from another $1 million MN State grant in the near future. I have upgraded their ranking to green.

• Over the years, Wright County (or cities within) has invested $703,900 (total) for matches for 3 successful MN Broadband grants. This is an indicator of local government that is engaged and (literally) invested in better, local broadband.
• Wright County will benefit from a 2024 almost $1 million MN Broadband grant (Round 10) award that will serve 300 locations.
• Wright County will not benefit from any line extension awards.
• Last years’ estimates indicated that it would cost $19.5 million to get ubiquitous broadband in the county. (I haven’t updated the number because recent report offers scenarios of costs based on BEAD funding rules that make current estimates less predictable than in the past. Yet, I think the number is still helpful.)
• In 2022, Wright ranked 10 using Microsoft’s Digital Equity Tool, which looks at various factors of a community.
• In 2023, Last year’s report from the Institute for Local Self Reliance looked at broadband in Monticello and Buffalo in Wright County.

2024 Grant:

• County: Wright
  Grant: $945,133
  Local Match: $1,155,163
  Total Budget: $2,100,296
  The Meeker Cooperative Light & Power Association Cokato Township project will provide fiber-to-the-premise broadband access to rural sites in Cokato Township in Wright County, excluding the area within the city limits of the town of Cokato Minnesota. This project will improve unserved/underserved levels of service up to 1 gigabit per second download and upload speeds resulting in more efficient and effective e-learning, telemedicine options and enhanced precision agriculture tools to 300 locations, including 189 unserved and 111 underserved addresses.

Past Grant:

• 2023: Frontier – Wright County – City of Clearwater – GRANT $829,800
• 2023 Arvig (Tekstar) – Wright County Area Fiber Extension – GRANT $879,747
• 2023: Meeker Coop Light & Power – French Lake Township – Wright County – GRANT $1,270,132
• 2022: Spectrum Mid-America, LLC managed by Charter Communications Inc., $2,832,155.00 (Learn more)
• 2022: Meeker Cooperative Light & Power Association (Vibrant Broadband) – Collinwood Lake – GRANT $104,337
• Spectrum Mid-America, LLC managed by Charter Communications Inc. – Wright County Project 4 – GRANT $1,008,146

• 2017 – Midco (Midcontinent Communications) – Annandale East – GRANT $537,050
• Meeker Coop. Light & Power Assoc. (Vibrant Broadband) – Lake Louisa/Lake Marie Project – GRANT $297,940

Find more article on Wright County https://blandinonbroadband.org/?s=%22wright+county%22&submit=Search

The maps below on the left comes from the Office of Broadband Development interactive map, reflecting data updated on December 16, 2024. Red dots represent locations unserved locations. Above I have tracked wireline access because that is the Minnesota definition of broadband. The info below includes wired and wireless. BEAD includes fixed wireless connections as served locations. (I wrote more on the distinction between the two last year, which may be if interest in the numbers range greatly for your county.)

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)

Rank: 38
Code: Green
(See Blandin Foundation interactive map)

Winona County: Rank goes from Yellow to Green

Winona County ranks 38 (up one point) for broadband access out of 87 counties. They have seen some growth in broadband in the last year. They will benefit from a $3.2 million MN State Broadband grant and 35 Line Extension grants. Also, HBC has announced fiber expansion plans in the area that they say will bring service to more than 5,000 locations.

• Over the years, Winona County (or cities within) has not invested in matches for any successful MN Broadband grants.
• Winona County will benefit from a 2024 $3.1 million MN Broadband grant (Round 10) award that will serve 396 locations.
• Winona County will benefit from 35 line extension awards (Rounds 1 and 2), which extend broadband to individual locations.
• Last years’ estimates indicated that it would cost $23 million to get ubiquitous broadband in the county. (I haven’t updated the number because recent report offers scenarios of costs based on BEAD funding rules that make current estimates less predictable than in the past. Yet, I think the number is still helpful.)
• In 2022, Winona ranked 20 using Microsoft’s Digital Equity Tool, which looks at various factors of a community.
• 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.
• In 2022, HBC announced 10 Gig residential service in the City of Winona. Two months later they announced expansion in rural parts of the county.

2024 Grant:

• County: Fillmore, Olmsted, Winona
  MiEnergy Cooperative South West Fremont
  Grant: $3,164,721
  Local Match: $4,747,086
  Total Budget: $7,911,807
  The MiEnergy Cooperative project will see built Fiber to the Premise (FTTP) in the rural areas Southwest of Fremont, Minnesota located primarily in Winona and Filmore Counties. This project will provide services to 396 addresses, including 342 unserved and 54 underserved, and bridge the digital divide by offering residents access to essential services such as telemedicine, online education, and remote work opportunities. Funding partner Mabel Cooperative Telephone Company is contributing $2,373,543.

Past Grants:

• 2022: Ace Telephone Association, Inc., $3,218,201.00

• 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
• 2019: AcenTek – Rural Houston Exchange FTTH – GRANT $2,895,318

• MN State Grant awarded in 2021: AcenTek – Rural Peterson Exchange FTTH – GRANT $1,492,096 This last mile project will serve 214 unserved households, 18 unserved businesses, 88 unserved farms, and two unserved community anchor institutions as well as 47 underserved households and five underserved businesses in areas of Fillmore and Winona counties.

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

The maps below on the left comes from the Office of Broadband Development interactive map, reflecting data updated on December 16, 2024. Red dots represent locations unserved locations. Above I have tracked wireline access because that is the Minnesota definition of broadband. The info below includes wired and wireless. BEAD includes fixed wireless connections as served locations. (I wrote more on the distinction between the two last year, which may be if interest in the numbers range greatly for your county.)

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)

Rank: 27
Code:  Green
(See Blandin Foundation interactive map)

Wilkin County: increases rank up 27 places in rank

Wilkin County ranks 49 (up 22 places) for broadband access out of 87 counties. Wilkin has seen some strong expansion of broadband, especially in the last year. They aren’t in line to benefit from any 2024 MN State Grants or Line Extension grants but it seems that there is an interested provider in the area that will help when the BEAD funding becomes available.

Wilkin County retains yellow ranking.

• Over the years, Wilkin County (or cities within) has not invested in matches for any successful MN Broadband grants.
• Wilkin County will not benefit from a 2024 MN Broadband grant.
• Wilkin County will not benefit from any line extension awards.
• Last years’ estimates indicated that it would cost $4.3 million to get ubiquitous broadband in the county. (I haven’t updated the number because recent report offers scenarios of costs based on BEAD funding rules that make current estimates less predictable than in the past. Yet, I think the number is still helpful.)
• In 2022, Wilkin ranked 42 using Microsoft’s Digital Equity Tool, which looks at various factors of a community.

Grant:

• 2023: Red River Rural Telephone Association – Rural Campbell – GRANT $2,035,500
• 2023 Red River Rural Telephone Association – North Wilkin County – GRANT $2,227,363
• 2022 Red River Rural Telephone Association, $2,157,663

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

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

The maps below on the left comes from the Office of Broadband Development interactive map, reflecting data updated on December 16, 2024. Red dots represent locations unserved locations. Above I have tracked wireline access because that is the Minnesota definition of broadband. The info below includes wired and wireless. BEAD includes fixed wireless connections as served locations. (I wrote more on the distinction between the two last year, which may be if interest in the numbers range greatly for your county.)

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)

Rank:26
Code: Green
(See Blandin Foundation interactive map)

Washington County: nearly there with a grant in process

Washington County ranks 26 (down 10 places) for broadband access out of 87 counties. Washington County is part of the 7-metro county region. It has some suburban areas and some rural areas. Some areas attract providers while other areas need incentive.

In 2023, Scandia started working on a 5-year broadband plan. While the county has stalled for many years now but they will benefit from a 2024 grant happening in Scandia. That may lead to more activity especially once BEAD funding becomes available.

Washington retinas green ranking.

• Over the years, Washington County (or cities within) has invested $375,085 (total) for matches for 3 successful MN Broadband grants. This is an indicator of local government that is engaged and (literally) invested in better, local broadband.
• Washington County will benefit from a 2024 $689,700 MN Broadband grant award that will serve 161 locations in Washington and Chisago Counties.
• Washington County will benefit from 86 line extension awards (Rounds 1 and 2), which extend broadband to individual locations.
• Last years’ estimates indicated that it would cost $22.4 million to get ubiquitous broadband in the county. (I haven’t updated the number because recent report offers scenarios of costs based on BEAD funding rules that make current estimates less predictable than in the past. Yet, I think the number is still helpful.)
• In 2022, Washington ranked 4 using Microsoft’s Digital Equity Tool, which looks at various factors of a community.

Broadband Access:

2024 Grants

• County: Washington, Chisago
  Midco Midco Scandia
  Grant: $689,700
  Local Match: $689,700
  Total Budget: $1,379,400
  The Midco Scandia project will build fiber to the premises (FTTP) in portions of Washington and Chisago County in the communities of Scandia and Franconia Township. This project will extend reliable broadband service ranging up to 5 Gbps symmetrical or under 100/20 Mbps offering to 161 locations, including 145 unserved and 16 underserved locations.

Past 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.

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

The maps below on the left comes from the Office of Broadband Development interactive map, reflecting data updated on December 16, 2024. Red dots represent locations unserved locations. Above I have tracked wireline access because that is the Minnesota definition of broadband. The info below includes wired and wireless. BEAD includes fixed wireless connections as served locations. (I wrote more on the distinction between the two last year, which may be if interest in the numbers range greatly for your county.)

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)

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

Wadena County: into the top 10!

Wadena County ranks 7 (up one place) for broadband access out of 87 counties. Wadena County saw a great jump in access in 2019. They are a few dozen households away from ubiquitous coverage. Perhaps some Line Extension grants would help.

They retain their green ranking.

• Over the years, Wadena County (or cities within) has not invested in matches for any successful MN Broadband grants.
• Wadena County will not benefit from a 2024 MN Broadband grant.
• Wadena County will not benefit from any line extension awards.
• Last years’ estimates indicated that it would cost $353,400 to get ubiquitous broadband in the county. (I haven’t updated the number because recent report offers scenarios of costs based on BEAD funding rules that make current estimates less predictable than in the past. Yet, I think the number is still helpful.)
• In 2022, Wadena ranked 77 using Microsoft’s Digital Equity Tool, which looks at various factors of a community.

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)

The maps below on the left comes from the Office of Broadband Development interactive map, reflecting data updated on December 16, 2024. Red dots represent locations unserved locations. Above I have tracked wireline access because that is the Minnesota definition of broadband. The info below includes wired and wireless. BEAD includes fixed wireless connections as served locations. (I wrote more on the distinction between the two last year, which may be if interest in the numbers range greatly for your county.)

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)

Rank: 35
Code: Green
(See Blandin Foundation interactive map)

Traverse County: a nice increase this year

Traverse County ranks 35 (up 17 points) for broadband access out of 87 counties. I don’t hear much about what’s going on there. But broadband in Traverse County has been increasing at a good clip in the last three years. So much, they have earned a green ranking. 

• Over the years, Traverse County (or cities within) has invested $19,490 (total) for matches for 1 successful MN Broadband grant. This is an indicator of local government that is engaged and (literally) invested in better, local broadband.
• Traverse County will not benefit from a 2024 MN Broadband grant.
• Traverse County will not benefit from any line extension awards.
• Last years’ estimates indicated that it would cost $3 million to get ubiquitous broadband in the county. (I haven’t updated the number because recent report offers scenarios of costs based on BEAD funding rules that make current estimates less predictable than in the past. Yet, I think the number is still helpful.)
• In 2022, Traverse ranked 71 using Microsoft’s Digital Equity Tool, which looks at various factors of a community.

Grants

• 2022: Runestone Telephone Association – Herman-Dumont – GRANT $2,493,637

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

The maps below on the left comes from the Office of Broadband Development interactive map, reflecting data updated on December 16, 2024. Red dots represent locations unserved locations. Above I have tracked wireline access because that is the Minnesota definition of broadband. The info below includes wired and wireless. BEAD includes fixed wireless connections as served locations. (I wrote more on the distinction between the two last year, which may be if interest in the numbers range greatly for your county.)

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)

Rank: 9
Code: Green
(See Blandin Foundation interactive map)

Swift County: Almost there

Swift County ranks 9 (up one point) for broadband access out of 87 counties. They will benefit from 5 Line Extension grants, which might be a good way for them to get broadband to the last few houses. They are so close to goal; they retain their green ranking.

• Over the years, Swift County (or cities within) has not invested in matches for any successful MN Broadband grants.
• Swift County will not benefit from a 2024 MN Broadband grant.
• Swift County will benefit from 5 line extension awards (Rounds 1 and 2), which extend broadband to individual locations.
• Last years’ estimates indicated that it would cost $418,500 to get ubiquitous broadband in the county. (I haven’t updated the number because recent report offers scenarios of costs based on BEAD funding rules that make current estimates less predictable than in the past. Yet, I think the number is still helpful.)
• In 2022, Swift ranked 64 using Microsoft’s Digital Equity Tool, which looks at various factors of a community.

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)

The maps below on the left comes from the Office of Broadband Development interactive map, reflecting data updated on December 16, 2024. Red dots represent locations unserved locations. Above I have tracked wireline access because that is the Minnesota definition of broadband. The info below includes wired and wireless. BEAD includes fixed wireless connections as served locations. (I wrote more on the distinction between the two last year, which may be if interest in the numbers range greatly for your county.)

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)