SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Today, Governor Tim Walz announced the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is awarding $23,270,933 in Border-to-Border Broadband Development Grant Program funds to 30 broadband projects across the state. The projects will bring high-quality broadband access to underserved and unserved areas of Minnesota, providing fast, reliable internet access for more than 10,900 businesses, homes, and community anchor institutions.
As part of the grants, Paul Bunyan Communications will receive more than $2.5 million to supply or improve access to 1,353 locations in Itasca, St. Louis, Cass and Koochiching counties, as well as on the Leech Lake Indian Reservation. In addition to the Border-to-Border grant and private matching dollars from Paul Bunyan, the Iron Range Resource & Rehabilitations Board, Koochiching County, and Morcom Township are all providing funding. The total cost of the project is $6,268,400.
Rep. Julie Sandstede (DFL – Hibbing), who was a strong supporter of the project receiving Border-to-Border grant funding, issued the following statement:
“Strong investments in broadband like those announced today are needed to create new jobs in new industries, ensure young people can acquire an excellent education, and help build an economy in greater Minnesota where everyone has an opportunity to prosper. Paul Bunyan has collaborated with businesses, civic organizations, and local units of government in Northern Minnesota to deliver excellent results in their other recent expansions in northern Minnesota, and I’m sure this one will be no exception. I’m excited to see this project move forward and am committed to meeting our broadband connectivity goals so all Minnesotans can access the fast, reliable internet service they deserve.”