We are part of The Trust Project.
Editor's Note: Story corrected to reflect that Roseville and Irving Townships are still considering whether to provide funding for the broadband project.
WILLMAR — As Kandiyohi County continues to wait for the state to open the Border-to-Border broadband grant application window, with the hope of being awarded significant funding for a large broadband project, supporters of high-speed broadband remain focused on expanding the reach of broadband across the county.
Over the last several weeks, the Broadband and Advanced Technology Committee has been working closely with Vibrant Broadband of the Meeker Cooperative Light and Power Association to design and obtain funding for broadband projects on the east side of the county.
The committee is part of the Kandiyohi County and city of Willmar Economic Development Commission.
"Broadband has been such a priority for us and we've struggled to get things moving," said Kandiyohi County Commissioner Corky Berg.
ADVERTISEMENT
At the April 19 County Board meeting, the commissioners approved spending $444,700 of the county's American Rescue Plan Act allocation toward a fiber-to-the-home broadband project in Hawick and around Long Lake. The project would reach 289 properties that are currently underserved or unserved by high-speed broadband.
"It gives us the opportunity to start covering areas that probably wouldn't be covered. This is a great opportunity," said County Administrator Larry Kleindl. "I wish we could cover all corners of the county right away at the same time."
The total project is estimated to cost $1,005,000. Roseville and Irving townships are considering providing $57,800 in funding for the project, with Vibrant funding the rest.
Since the county's $8 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds began to arrive, the County Board has planned to dedicate nearly 75% of it to broadband expansion. While a few of the projects need grant approvals to move forward, the county has approved funding to a handful of smaller plans.
Charter will be expanding high-speed broadband to some properties in Dovre , New London and Burbank townships and Arvig is connecting properties in Prinsburg . The county provided American Rescue Plan Act funds to all of them.
"We have an opportunity to get a shovel in the ground yet this year," Kleindl said.
