Dear Neighbors,
This week, the State of Minnesota announced that funding has been awarded to improve broadband access for unserved or underserved areas of Hutchinson as well as Bismarck, Transit, and Round Grove townships in Sibley and McLeod Counties.
The awards were issued through the state’s Border-to-Border Broadband Grant Program, administered by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).
The Hutchinson grant is for $169,369, with a total eligible project cost of $423,423 and a $254,054 local match. The project will serve 42 unserved and five underserved locations in a funding partnership between the state of Minnesota and Nuvera Communications, Inc. DEED says that this will bring broadband service levels to 1 Gbps download and 1 Gbps upload, exceeding the state’s 2022 and 2026 speed goals.
The Bismarck, Transit, and Round Grove townships grant is for $716,000. The 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.
Through a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota, Winthrop Telephone Company will offer broadband services at 1 Gbps, once again exceeding the 2022 and 2026 state speed goals. This project will promote rural economic development.
I am pleased to see these projects funded and have long advocated for their inclusion in this round of grants as I sent a letter requesting this funding back in August.
Broadband access supports our workforce and strengthens our community. Now, more than ever before, the importance of having access to high-speed internet is vital for students, workers, farmers, and growing businesses. This is great news for our community.
Staying in Touch
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me to share your thoughts, questions, and concerns as it relates to state government. I can be reached at 651-296-4229 or via email at rep.glenn.gruenhagen@house.mn.
Have a great day,
Glenn