Rank: 84
Code: Red
(See Blandin Foundation interactive map)

Yellow Medicine County: improvement but too slow

Yellow Medicine County ranks 84 (down five places) for broadband access out of 87 counties. Yellow Medicine has lost coverage percentage, likely due to map corrections but it leaves Yellow Medicine with stalled and inconsistent mapping and they are far away from the goal.

They may also be concerned about being in a potentially precarious position because looking at access in the County using the FCC National Map there is a big discrepancy between wireline access (56.69 percent coverage) and wireline with fixed wireless (99.5 percent). Minnesota doesn’t currently take fixed wireless into consideration when defining areas eligible for grants; the federal government does include access to fixed wireless. That could make a big difference to who is eligible for BEAD funding.

Unfortunately, Yellow Medicine has earned a red ranking at the bottom of the ranking list.

• Over the years, Yellow Medicine County (or cities within) has not invested in matches for any successful MN Broadband grants.
• Yellow Medicine County will not benefit from a 2024 MN Broadband grant.
• Yellow Medicine County will not benefit from any line extension awards.
• Last years’ estimates indicated that it would cost $15.7 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, Yellow Medicine ranked 58 using Microsoft’s Digital Equity Tool, which looks at various factors of a community.

Grants:

• 2023: Interstate Telecommunications Company – Yellow Medicine County West Fiber-To-The-Home Project – GRANT $4,988,174
• 2016 – MIDCO CANBY TO MARSHALL MIDDLE MILE AND LAST MILE – GRANT AMOUNT: $623,000
• 2015 – MVTV Wireless Middle Mile – Grant award: $808,080

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

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: 75
Code:  Red
(See Blandin Foundation interactive map)

Watonwan County: hovering around 70 percent

Watonwan County ranks 75 (down two places) for broadband access and out of 87 counties. Watonwan County has been hovering around 70 percent coverage to broadband of 100 Mbps down and 20 up since we began tracking. I don’t see any grants in the hopper or yet to be spent that could help them. They retain their red ranking.

Also they may also concerned about being in a potentially precarious position because looking at access in the County using the FCC National Map there is a big discrepancy between wireline access (68.15 percent coverage) and wireline with fixed wireless (99.74 percent). Minnesota doesn’t currently take fixed wireless into consideration when defining areas eligible for grants; the federal government does include access to fixed wireless. That could make a big difference to who is eligible for BEAD funding.

• Over the years, Watonwan County (or cities within) has not invested in matches for any successful MN Broadband grants.
• Watonwan County will not benefit from a 2024 MN Broadband grant.
• Watonwan County will not benefit from any line extension awards.
• Last years’ estimates indicated that it would cost $12.4 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, Watonwan ranked 79 using Microsoft’s Digital Equity Tool, which looks at various factors of a community.

Grants:

• 2017 – New Ulm Telecom, Inc. – Hanska A&D FTTP – GRANT $324,894
• 2016 – NEW ULM TELECOM, INC. HANSKA – GRANT: $ 200,397
• 2015 – MVTV Wireless Middle Mile – Grant award: $808,080

Find more articles on broadband in Watonwan County (http://tinyurl.com/jpnf6xv)

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:69
Code: Red
(See Blandin Foundation interactive map)

Waseca County: stalled at 75 percent broadband access

Waseca County ranks 69 (down 5 places) for broadband access out of 87 counties.

Waseca County has been hovering around 75 percent coverage to broadband of 100 Mbps down and 20 up since 2018. I don’t see any grants in the hopper or yet to be spent. They retain their red ranking.

Also, they are also concerned about being in a potentially precarious position because looking at access in the County using the FCC National Map there is a big discrepancy between wireline access (75.4 percent coverage) and wireline with fixed wireless (98.56 percent). Minnesota doesn’t currently take fixed wireless into consideration when defining areas eligible for grants; the federal government does include access to fixed wireless. That could make a big difference to who is eligible for BEAD funding.

Last year, I was able to have a great conversation with Steve Kraus, in Waseca County, about their intention and momentum with broadband. Waseca’s community it ready and eager to work for better broadband. It’s great to see that they will benefit from $5.6 million in 2024 MN State grants. That should make a great difference in their ranking (and access) next year!

• Over the years, Waseca County (or cities within) has invested $165,000 (total) for matches for 1 successful MN Broadband grants. This is an indicator of local government that is engaged and (literally) invested in better, local broadband.
• Waseca County will benefit from two 2024 MN Broadband grants:
  $1.2 million that will serve 163 locations and
  $4.4 million that will serve 492 locations
• Waseca County will not benefit from any line extension awards (Rounds 1 and 2), which extend broadband to individual locations.
• 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, Waseca ranked 84^th using Microsoft’s Digital Equity Tool, which looks at various factors of a community.

Broadband Access:

2024 Grants:

• County: Waseca
  Bevcomm Inc Waseca County Fiber Expansion Project – Ph 2
  Grant: $1,186,050
  Local Match: $395,350
  Total Budget: $1,581,400
  This Low Density Bevcomm Inc Waseca County project will deploy underground fiber infrastructure across Alton, New Richland, and Saint Mary townships in rural Waseca County. This project will provide up to symmetrical Gigabit speeds with unlimited data to 163 homes, businesses, and farms, including 151 unserved and 12 underserved locations. Waseca County will be a funding partner for this project with a match amount of $165,000.
• County: Waseca
  Bevcomm Inc
  Bevcomm – Waseca-Cty Fiber
  Grant: $4,385,444
  Local Match: $1,461,815
  Total Budget: $5,847,259
  This Lower-Density Population Grant application will build underground fiber infrastructure to 492 homes, businesses, and farms in rural Waseca County, delivering speeds up to a Gigabit symmetrically with unlimited data to each address served. This proposed project will cover 234 miles to portions of seven townships in Waseca County, including Alton, Byron, Freedom, Otisco, Saint Mary, Vivian, and Wilton. The project will serve a region that has been overlooked due to the high cost of building to rural agricultural areas. Waseca County is contributing $675,000.

Past Grant:

• MN State Grants awarded in 2021: BEVCOMM (Cannon Valley Telecom, Inc.) – Rural Morristown Fiber Expansion Project – GRANT $210,692 This last mile project will serve approximately 14 unserved and 94 underserved locations in portions of Rice, Waseca, and Steele counties.

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

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: 71
Code: Red
(See Blandin Foundation interactive map)

Wabasha County: still stalled at 71 percent access

Wabasha County was stagnant at 66 percent coverage for several years; now they seem to be hovering around 72 percent. Wabasha County residents were awarded 97 line extension funding requests, which means state funding will subsidize last mile broadband extension to their homes and it shows a strong community engagement.

With limited progress, Wabasha retains their red ranking.

• Over the years, Wabasha County (or cities within) has not invested in matches for any successful MN Broadband grants.
• Wabasha County will not benefit from a 2024 MN Broadband grant.
• Wabasha County will benefit from 97 line extension awards (Rounds 1 and 2), which extend broadband to individual locations. That is a lot of awards.
• Last years’ estimates indicated that it would cost $16.1 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, Wabasha ranked 24 using Microsoft’s Digital Equity Tool, which looks at various factors of a community.

Grants:

• 2012: $1 million in their ARPA funding on broadband
• 2016 – NEW ULM TELECOM, INC. MAZEPPA – GRANT: $ 317,761

• MN State Grant awarded in 2021: Nuvera Communications, Inc. – Goodhue West FTTP – GRANT $532,232 This last mile project will serve 148 unserved and two underserved locations in Goodhue, Zumbrota, Minneola, and Belle Creek townships in Goodhue County and Chester Township in Wabasha County.

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

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: 85
Code: Red
(See Blandin Foundation interactive map)

Todd County: on bottom 10 list for broadband

Todd County ranks 85 (again) for broadband access out of 87 counties. Working with the Blandin Foundation, Todd County has been focused on better broadband for a long time. They work hard but still rank at the bottom, demonstrating that even the hardest working counties need an engaged provider. That missing piece leaves them at code red, despite ongoing efforts. The fact that they have received 55 line extension grants demonstrates the community engagement.

• Over the years, Todd County (or cities within) has invested $7,500 (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.
• Todd County will not benefit from a 2024 MN Broadband grant.
• Todd County will benefit from 38 line extension awards (Rounds 1 and 2), which extend broadband to individual locations.
• Last years’ estimates indicated that it would cost $45.8 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, Todd ranked 83 using Microsoft’s Digital Equity Tool, which looks at various factors of a community.

Broadband Access:

Past Grants:

• ReConnect funding through Upsala Cooperative Telephone Association in Morrison, Stearns and Todd counties.
• 2017 – WCTA (West Central Telephone Association) – Northern Todd County – GRANT $902,695
• 2014 – Arvig (Mainstreet Communications LLC), Sauk Lake area $
• 2019: WCTA (West Central Telephone Association) – Rural Staples Phase I Project – GRANT $555,355

• MN State Grants awarded in 2021: Arvig (Tekstar Communications, Inc.) – Lake Osakis, Sauk Lake & Smith Lake Project – GRANT $486,458 This middle and last mile project will upgrade approximately 230 unserved and 39 underserved locations in Todd and Douglas counties.

• 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 Todd County (http://tinyurl.com/gl47tgq)

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: 42
Code: Red
(See Blandin Foundation interactive map)

Steele County: Stalled and not much community engagement

Steele County ranks 42 (down 10 places) for broadband access out of 87 counties. In October 2024, Spectrum announced the launch of Gig services in Steele County to “more than 50 home and small businesses.”

Steele County was hit hard when LTD Broadband was awarded federal funding and then funding was revoked. They lost the funding but also lost time when they were unable to apply for grants because of LTD Broadband’s award.

Their ranking goes from Yellow to Red because they have been stalled at 87 percent for many years and, aside from 50 location getting Spectrum, there are no apparent movements forward in the near future.

• Over the years, Steele County (or cities within) has not invested in matches for any successful MN Broadband grants.
• Steele County will not benefit from a 2024 MN Broadband grant.
• Steele County will not benefit from any line extension award (Rounds 1 and 2).
• Last years’ estimates indicated that it would cost $15.4 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, Steele ranked 14 using Microsoft’s Digital Equity Tool, which looks at various factors of a community.
• Steele County has been involved with broadband for years – going back to working with Blandin Foundation-led, Minnesota Intelligent Rural Communities (2009-2012) effort.

Grant

• Spectrum Mid-America, LLC managed by Charter Communications Inc., $158,052.00

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

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: 80
Code: Red
(See Blandin Foundation interactive map)

Sibley County: still stuck at 65 percent coverage

Sibley County ranks 80 (down 3 points) for broadband access out of 87 counties. Sibley County has been working on better broadband for more than 10 years. They were a Blandin Broadband Community. But their connectivity has been stagnant since 2018. There hasn’t been a demonstration of recent engagement with broadband, which is why their code has gone from yellow to red.

Next Century Cities posted a snapshot of Sibley County:
Sibley County
Population: 14,955
Households without a computer: 9.8%
Households without Internet: 17.6%
Persons in Poverty: 8%

• Over the years, Sibley County (or cities within) has invested $50,000 (total) for matches for 6 successful MN Broadband grants. This is an indicator of local government that is engaged and (literally) invested in better, local broadband.
• Sibley County will not benefit from a 2024 MN Broadband grant.
• Sibley County will not benefit from any line extension awards
• Last years’ estimates indicated that it would cost $20.4 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, Sibley ranked 53 using Microsoft’s Digital Equity Tool, which looks at various factors of a community.

Grants

• 2017 – Winthrop Telephone Company, Inc. – Cornish Township FTTP Project – GRANT $365,895
• 2015 – MVTV Wireless Middle Mile – Grant award: $808,080
• 2014 – R-S Fiber Cooperative, FTTH Project – Award: $1 million.

• MN State Grant awarded in 2021: Winthrop Telephone Company, Inc. – Bismarck & Transit Township FTTP Project – GRANT $716,000 This last mile project will serve 148 unserved and six underserved locations, including homes, businesses and farms, in Bismarck, Transit and Round Grove townships in Sibley and McLeod counties

Find more articles on broadband in Sibley County (https://blandinonbroadband.org/?s=sibley&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: 47
Code: Red
(See Blandin Foundation interactive map)

Rice County: Dropped from yellow to red ranking 

Rice County ranks 47 (down 2 points) for broadband access out of 87 counties. Rice County had a great leap of broadband in 2019; they have been stagnant since.

Because they have been stagnant for so long, Rice County keeps their red ranking

• Over the years, Rice County (or cities within) has invested $15,000 (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.
• Rise County will not benefit from a 2024 MN Broadband grant.
• Rice County will benefit from 3 line extension awards (Rounds 1 and 2), which extend broadband to individual locations.
• Last years’ estimates indicated that it would cost $30.8 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, Rice ranked 12 using Microsoft’s Digital Equity Tool, which looks at various factors of a community.

Grants:

• MN State Grants 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.

• BEVCOMM (Cannon Valley Telecom, Inc.) – Rural Morristown Fiber Expansion Project – GRANT $210,692 This last mile project will serve approximately 14 unserved and 94 underserved locations in portions of Rice, Waseca, and Steele counties.

Find more articles on broadband in Rice County (http://tinyurl.com/jg6q8gs)

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: 74
Code: Red
(See Blandin Foundation interactive map)

Renville County: Still stuck

Renville County ranks 74 (down 3) for broadband access out of 87 counties. Their percent covered dipped slightly but that is likely within a margin of error. Renville County has been working on better broadband for more than 10 years, but they have stayed stagnant at 70 percent coverage. Their 2024 MN State grant with Hanson Communication should help them see improvement. However, until then they retain their ref ranking.

They may be concerned about being in a potentially precarious position because looking at access in the County using the FCC National Map there is a big discrepancy between wireline access  and wireline with fixed wireless. Minnesota doesn’t currently take fixed wireless into consideration when defining areas eligible for grants; the federal government does include access to fixed wireless. That could make a big difference to who is eligible for BEAD funding.

• Over the years, Renville County (or cities within) has not invested in matches for any successful MN Broadband grants.
• Renville County will benefit from a 2024 $2 million MN Broadband grant (Round 10) award that will serve 283 locations.
• Renville County will not benefit from any line extension awards.
• Last years’ estimates indicated that it would cost $16 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, Renville ranked 66 using Microsoft’s Digital Equity Tool, which looks at various factors of a community.
• In 2023, Renville set up a broadband survey for community members.

Broadband Access:

2024 Grant:

• County: Chippewa, Renville
  Hanson Communications
  Hanson – Chippewa Cty W
  Grant: $2,081,494
  Local Match: $2,544,150
  Total Budget: $4,625,644
  Hanson will build and operate a Fiber To The Premises (FTTP) network covering the unserved and underserved areas within Southwest Chippewa County. There are 283 total fiber passings in the project. This project comes in partnership with Chippewa County, who has committed $200,000 to the project. Over 68 businesses lacking a 100/20 mbps connection are included in the project area. Most businesses in the project area are related to agrobusiness, machinery, construction, transportation, services & consumer goods. For livestock operations, broadband is a necessity. Remote monitoring and alarm systems, critical for ensuring the health and safety of livestock, rely heavily on broadband connectivity. Additionally, the process of buying and selling livestock and equipment at online auctions is emerging in the online marketplace

Past Grants:

• 2016 – RENVILLE COUNTY HBC & RS FIBER – GRANT: $807,966
• 2015 – MVTV Wireless Middle Mile – Grant award: $808,080
• 2014 – R-S Fiber Cooperative, FTTH Project – Award: $1 million.
• 2019: Nuvera Communications, Inc. – Hutchinson W Project – GRANT $346,282
• 2019: Midco (Midcontinent Communications) – Renville Project – GRANT $230,835
• MN State Grant awarded in 2021: Minnesota Valley Telephone Company (MVTC) – Rural Franklin Fiber Project – GRANT $226,800 This middle and last mile project will serve approximately 45 unserved locations in the City of Franklin and the townships of Sherman, Eden, Camp and Birch Cooley in Redwood, Renville and Brown counties.

Find more articles on broadband in Renville County (http://tinyurl.com/hfazdvf)

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: 82
Code: Red
(See Blandin Foundation interactive map)

Pine County: Progress is coming

Pine County ranks 82 (up 4 places) for broadband access out of 87 counties. They have gone from 41 percent coverage to 61 percent. They have a long way to go but that is a great jump in coverage. They are set up to benefit from a $3.7 million 2024 MN state grant and $5.5 million in a ReConnect grant, so it seems like the momentum could continue.

Pine County has been actively seeking better broadband for years; they were part of a Blandin Broadband Communities cohort a few years ago. Unfortunately, much of Pine County is served by one large national provider. That may have been a bottleneck to better access in those areas.

They are still code red, but it seems like they are poised for a change in the next year.

• Over the years, Pine County (or cities within) has invested $16,000 (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.
• Pine County will benefit from a 2024 $3.6 million MN Broadband grant award that will serve 1,069 locations in Pine and Aitkin.
• Pine County will benefit from 40 line extension awards (Rounds 1 and 2), which extend broadband to individual locations.
• Last years’ estimates indicated that it would cost $84.4 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, Pine ranked 86 using Microsoft’s Digital Equity Tool, which looks at various factors of a community.
• Pine County was awarded $5.5 million in ReConnect funding in December 2024.

2024 Grants

• County: Pine, Aitkin
  Savage Communications Inc
  SCI – East Central MN
  Grant: $3,563,817
  Local Match: $3,713,817
  Total Budget: $7,277,634
  Savage Communications Inc. (SCI) will build Fiber to the Premise (FTTP) to 1,069 Locations within the townships of Barry, Finlayson, Hinckley, Kettle River, Norman, Partridge, Pine Lake, Sturgeon Lake, Wagner Townships and the city of Rutledge located in Pine and Aitkin County. SCI plans to offer initial Internet speeds of 1Gbps download and 1Gbps upload. Farms and businesses are in the project area, as are three (3) township halls. The company currently provides service to over 40 communities throughout East Central and Northern Minnesota since 1984. Pine County is contributing $75,000 toward the project.

Past grants

• 2022: East Central Energy, $4,750,000.00 (serving Pine and Kanabec) (Learn more)
• 2022: East Central Energy – Kanabec Central – GRANT $4,403,000

• 2017 – SCI (Savage Communications Inc.) — Dell Grove Township Broadband Expansion – GRANT $118,248

Find more articles on broadband in Pine County (http://tinyurl.com/ha8burg)

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: 81
Code: Red
(See Blandin Foundation interactive map)

Norman County: recent progress but needs more

Norman County ranks 81 (up two places) for broadband access out of 87 counties. Norman had been hovering at 54.22 percent coverage to broadband for several years. Good news is that they saw a big increase in service in 2024. But they are still in the bottom ranking.

One possible issue is that Norman County has almost ubiquitous access to internet at speeds of 25 Mbps down and 3 up, which means county commissioners and maybe even incumbent providers are not hearing of greater need because people have what they need for email and web browsing but increased access and better use may open doors for the community but they will eventually.

They are code red.

• Over the years, Norman County (or cities within) has not invested in matches for any successful MN Broadband grants.
• Norman County will not benefit from a 2024 MN Broadband grant.
• Norman County will not benefit from any line extension awards.
• Last years’ estimates indicated that it would cost $10.9 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, Norman ranked 72 using Microsoft’s Digital Equity Tool, which looks at various factors of a community.

Past grants:

• none

Find more articles on broadband in Norman County (http://tinyurl.com/zs7nuqj)

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: 59
Code: Red
(See Blandin Foundation interactive map)

Nicollet County: stagnant since 2019

Nicollet County ranks 59 (up 3 points) for broadband access out of 87 counties. Nicollet County saw a nice leap in access in 2019, they were stagnant at 78 percent or less coverage they saw a small bump in 2024.

Hopefully the recent increase will continue but they don’t have any grants or line extensions in the hopper. Nicollet’s ranking continues at red.

• Over the years, Nicollet County (or cities within) has not invested in matches for any successful MN Broadband grants.
• Nicollet County will not benefit from a 2024 MN Broadband grant.
• Nicollet County will not benefit from any line extension awards.
• Last years’ estimates indicated that it would cost $25 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, Nicollet ranked 17 using Microsoft’s Digital Equity Tool, which looks at various factors of a community.

Past grant:

• 2022: Nuvera Communications, Inc. – Nicollet County RTF DTF FTTP – GRANT $479,011 (Learn more)

• 2015 – MVTV Wireless Middle Mile = Grant award: $808,080

• MN State Grant awarded in 2021: Nuvera Communications, Inc. – New Ulm HDT 202 FTTP – GRANT $444,386 This last mile project north of New Ulm will serve approximately 80 unserved and 67 underserved locations in Nicollet County.

Find more articles on broadband in Nicollet County (http://tinyurl.com/h3zwpbd)

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: 86
Code:  Red
(See Blandin Foundation interactive map)

Murray County: 2024 MN State grant may help get them out of the bottom ranking

Murray County ranks 86 (down 5 places) for broadband access out of 87 counties. Murray County has hovered around 50 percent coverage to broadband of 100 Mbps down and 20 up since we started tracking. In 2018, with support from the Blandin Foundation, released a feasibility study that suggested that fiber would be too expensive and they should look at hybrid options. Although dated, that report might help them prepare for BEAD funding opportunities since BEAD is apt to fund hybrid options.

Murray may be concerned about being in a potentially precarious position because looking at access in the County using the FCC National Map there is a big discrepancy between wireline access and wireline with fixed wireless. Minnesota doesn’t currently take fixed wireless into consideration when defining areas eligible for grants; the federal government does include access to fixed wireless. That could make a big difference to who is eligible for BEAD funding.

Murray will benefit from almost $3 million MN state grant. It will be interesting to see if that helps push them closer to the goal. However, as it stands, Murray County holds onto its red ranking.

• Over the years, Murray County (or cities within) has invested $1,326,455 (total) for matches for 2 successful MN Broadband grants. This is an indicator of local government that is engaged and (literally) invested in better, local broadband.
• Murray County will benefit from a 2024 $2.9 million MN Broadband grant award that will serve 190 locations.
• Murray County will not benefit from any line extension awards.
• Last years’ estimates indicated that it would cost $18 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, Murray ranked 62 using Microsoft’s Digital Equity Tool, which looks at various factors of a community.

2024 Grants

• County: Murray
  Woodstock Telephone Company Skandia FTTH Low Density
  Grant: $2,914,733
  Local Match: $971,578
  Total Budget: $3,886,311
  This Low Density Woodstock Telephone Company Skandia FTTH project will cover a rural area east of Skandia in Murray County, and is for a Fiber-To-The-Premises Network that would utilize existing Woodstock-owned middle-mile fiber and offer speeds up to 1G upload and 1G download. This project will serve a residents and businesses at 190 unserved locations. Funding partner, Murray County is contributing $485,789. 26 Totals $51,963,323 $48,468,239 $100,431,561

Past grants

• 2022: Woodstock Telephone Company – Lake Sarah Township FTTP – GRANT $1,333,199

• 2015 – MVTV Wireless Middle Mile – Grant award: $808,080
• Lismore Cooperative Telephone Company (Lismore Broadband) – Iona FTTP – GRANT  $219,714 This last mile and middle mile project will serve approximately 100 unserved locations including 75 households, nine businesses, 13 farms, and three community institutions within the town of Iona.

• MN State Grants awarded in 2021: Lismore Cooperative Telephone Company (Lismore Broadband) – Iona FTTP – GRANT  $219,714 This last mile and middle mile project will serve approximately 100 unserved locations including 75 households, nine businesses, 13 farms, and three community institutions within the town of Iona.

Find more articles on broadband in Murray County (http://tinyurl.com/j9sr5gf)

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: 67
Code: Red
(See Blandin Foundation interactive map)

Mille Lacs County: ECE gets $10 million in 2024 grants

Mille Lacs County ranks 67 (down one place) for broadband access out of 87 counties. Progress in Mille Lacs has been slow and incremental.

Mille Lacs is engaging with multiple broadband providers and East Central Energy was awarded three grants in 2024 (totally more than $10 million). I suspect the results of those projects will bump Mille Lacs into yellow or green ranking but for now they retain their red ranking.

• Over the years, Mille Lacs County (or cities within) has invested $242,200 (total) for matches for 2 successful MN Broadband grants. This is an indicator of local government that is engaged and (literally) invested in better, local broadband.
• Mille Lacs County will benefit from three 2024 MN Broadband grants:
  $3.6 Million award that will serve 803 locations,
  $3.2 million award that will serve 659 locations and
  $4.9 million award that will serve 1479 locations.
• Mille Lacs County will not benefit from any line extension awards.
• Last years’ estimates indicated that it would cost $34 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, Mille Lacs ranked 81 using Microsoft’s Digital Equity Tool, which looks at various factors of a community.
• Mille Lacs County was part of the Blandin Broadband Communities (BBC) initiative from 2012-2014.
• In November (2022), the Mille Lacs County Board of Commissioners met to hear about broadband options.

2024 Grants

• County: Mille Lacs
  East Central Energy Mille Lacs North
  Grant: $3,604,567
  Local Match: $5,637,915
  Total Budget: $9,242,482
  The East Central Energy (ECE) Mille Lacs North project will expand on ECE’s electric and broadband operations in East Central Minnesota and Northwestern Wisconsin. This project will offer 100/100 Mbps, 250/250 Mbps, and 1 Gbps/1 Gbps service options to a total of 803 locations, 677 unserved and 126 underserved, consisting of 680 households, 101 businesses, and 22 farms. Funding partner are Mille Lacs County with a contribution of $15,800 and Page Township with a contribution of $8,000.
• County: Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs
  East Central Energy Mille Lacs Central
  Grant: $3,267,902
  Local Match: $5,111,333
  Total Budget: $8,379,235
  The East Central Energy Mille Lacs Central project will expand on ECE’s electric and broadband operations in East Central Minnesota and Northwestern Wisconsin, bringing state-of-the-art Fiber to the Premise (FTTP) technology to residents of Mille Lacs, Kanabec, and Isanti Counties. This project will serve a total of 659 locations, including 509 unserved and 150 underserved locations. Funding partners are; Isanti County $10,000, Kanabec County $900, Mille Lacs County $4,200, and South Fork Township $800, for a total partner contribution of $15,900.
• County: Isanti, Mille Lacs
  East Central Energy
  ECE Mille Lacs South
  Grant: $4,885,809
  Local Match: $8,319,081
  Total Budget: $13,204,890
  East Central Energy will connect 1,479 unserved and underserved passings with fiber-to-the premises internet service in the proposed Mille Lacs South project area, which encompasses parts of southern Mille Lacs County and western Isanti County. The total passings include 950 households, 89 businesses, and 440 farms. ECE will utilize its current electric pole line and substation infrastructure to connect the 1,479 passings with 100/100 Mbps or greater internet speeds. The Project will expand on ECE’s electric and broadband operations in east central Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. ECE currently provides electric service to more than 66,000 homes, farms, and businesses. Mille Lacs County is pledging $100,000 and Isanti County is pledging $6,000 toward the project.

Past Grants:

• 2022: Savage Communications Inc. (SCI) – Northern Mille Lacs County 2022: Broadband Expansion – GRANT $476,108
• Benton Cooperative Telephone Company – Borgholm Township Project – GRANT $1,118,289 (Learn more)

• 2016 – BENTON COOPERATIVE TELEPHONE COMPANY BOCK – GRANT: $510,000
• 2019: Benton Cooperative Telephone Company – Ramey Phase I – GRANT $936,759

• MN State Grants awarded in 2021: Savage Communications Inc. (SCI) – Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe (Onamia) Broadband Expansion – GRANT $70,261 This last mile fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) project will serve 102 unserved households within the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Reservation in Mille Lacs County.

• Benton Cooperative Telephone Company – Ramey Phase 2 Project – GRANT $338,011 This last mile project will serve 119 unserved locations in the Ramey telephone exchange located in portions of Lakin and Mount Morris townships in Morrison County and a small portion of Dailey and Page townships located in Mille Lacs County.

Find more articles on broadband in Mille Lacs County (http://tinyurl.com/h7wcdjj)

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: 43
Code: Red
(See Blandin Foundation interactive map)

Lyon County: Incremental upgrades

Lyon County’s rank dipped from 34 to 43 for broadband access out of 87 counties. Lyon has had incremental improvement in coverage to broadband of 100 Mbps down and 20 up since we have been tracking statistics and that is why they retain their red ranking.

They may be concerned about being in a potentially precarious position because looking at access in the County using the FCC National Map there is a big discrepancy between wireline access (79.68 percent coverage) and wireline with fixed wireless (99.81 percent). Minnesota doesn’t currently take fixed wireless into consideration when defining areas eligible for grants; the federal government does include access to fixed wireless. That could make a big difference to who is eligible for BEAD funding.

• Over the years, Lyon County (or cities within) has invested $7.500 (total) for matches for 1 successful MN Broadband grants. This is an indicator of local government that is engaged and (literally) invested in better, local broadband.
• Lyon County will not benefit from a 2024 MN Broadband grant.
• Lyon County will not benefit from any line extension awards.
• Last years’ estimates indicated that it would cost $10.5 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, Lyon ranked 84^th using Microsoft’s Digital Equity Tool, which looks at various factors of a community.

Broadband Access:

Grants:

• Woodstock Telephone Company – Lynd FTTP – GRANT $325,548 (Lyon County) – This middle and last mile project will serve 203 underserved households, three underserved businesses and three underserved anchor institutions in the City of Lynd in Lyon County.
• 2017 – MVTC (Minnesota Valley Telephone Company, Inc.) – Milroy Broadband Project – GRANT $742,365
• 2017 – Woodstock Telephone Company – Balaton FTTP – GRANT $413,009
• 2016 – MIDCO CANBY TO MARSHALL MIDDLE MILE AND LAST MILE – GRANT AMOUNT: $623,000
• 2015 – MVTV Wireless Middle Mile – Grant award: $808,080

Checklist:

Find more articles on broadband in Lyon County (http://tinyurl.com/hzlzzvs)

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)