SAINT PAUL, MINN— Representatives Dan Fabian (R-Roseau) and Deb Kiel (R-Crookston), issued the following joint statement regarding today's announcement from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) that six projects in Northwest Minnesota are among 42 to receive a state grant to expand broadband access.
“These DEED grants will expand our area’s broadband capacity and are directed at previously unserved communities in Greater Minnesota. This critical funding helps families stay connected, reaches farmers in rural areas and allows local businesses to expand, grow and connect with their customers. Most notably, this money is directed at the folks who need it most, and we are pleased that Minnesota will see more than $100 million in broadband investments this year.”
According to a press release from DEED, the projects funded for Northwest Minnesota total near $5 million and will serve unserved households and businesses. The list of projects from DEED are:
- CenturyLink, Thief River Middle Mile – $1.32 million. The project will serve 491 unserved households and 118 unserved businesses in an area from Thief River to Roseau. CenturyLink will provide improved services that will encourage business development and increase access to education and health care in the region. The total eligible project cost is $2.65 million, with $1.3 million local match.
- Garden Valley Telephone Co., Rural Thief River Falls East – $2.03 million. The project will serve 330 unserved households, 23 unserved businesses and 2 community anchor institutions in rural Thief River Falls. Garden Valley Telephone will upgrade broadband services that will improve economic and community vitality in the region. The total eligible project cost is $4.2 million, with a $2.2 million local match.
- Halstad Telephone Co., Kertsonville Area – $296,665. The project will serve 51 unserved households in Kertsonville and Onstad townships in Polk County. Halstad Telephone Co. will improve service levels that benefit farmers, home businesses and residents. The total eligible project cost is $593,330, with a $296,665 local match.
- Sjoberg’s Inc., Roseau and Lake of the Woods Counties – $354,740. The project will serve 126 unserved households, 30 unserved businesses and one community anchor institution in several areas of Roseau and Lake of the Woods counties. The project will improve community well-being and encourage job growth and business expansion. The total eligible project cost is $709,481, with a $354,740 local match.
- Wikstrom Telephone Co. (with Beamco Inc.), Rural Alvarado – $43,481. The project will serve 11 unserved households and 1 unserved business in the Alvarado area, in a remote part of Marshall County. The telephone company and Beamco Inc., a local engineering and manufacturing company, are partnering to improve services in the area. The project will enable Beamco to reach its suppliers and customers in the U.S., Canada, Europe and China. The total eligible project cost is $86,963, with a $43,482 local match.
- Wikstrom Telephone Co., Wiktel NW MN – $950,823. This project will serve 236 unserved households and 26 unserved businesses in sparsely populated areas of Kittson, Marshall, Roseau and Lake of the Woods counties. The project will provide improved service that encourages job growth and business expansion in the region. The total eligible project cost is $2.11 million, with a $1.16 million local match.
Thanks to GOP-led efforts, $32 million of the $35 million in grants were targeted toward unserved areas of the state—ensuring that broadband grants are going to the communities that need it most. Additionally, because of policy reforms to the program, the Minnesota State Broadband fund leveraged Connect America Fund Phase II (CAF II) federal broadband funding to amplify connectivity into rural areas of the state. In total, Minnesota is expected to see half a billion dollars in combined state and federal broadband funding between 2015 and 2021.
The legislature approved a total of $45 million in broadband grants during the 2015 and 2016 legislative session. When combined with federal CAF II funds, Minnesota will see more than $100 million in broadband expansion this year alone.
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State Rep. Deb Kiel serves District 1B and State Rep. Dan Fabian serves District 1A