At Tuesday's Kandiyohi County Board meeting, the commissioners approved submitting three letters of support toward three broadband projects hoping to be awarded state Border-to-Border grant funds. An update on projects was also given at the meeting.
A cooperative project between Kandiyohi County and Charter Communications will bring broadband to more than 170 rural, unserved homes and small businesses in the county. Charter is investing more than $563,000, and the county has committed nearly $240,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding.
The Willmar City Council gave its Planning and Development staff the OK to continue working with VIBRANT Broadband on a project would bring fiber broadband into the city's Industrial Park. The city could then build off that backbone to offer fiber to homes across the city.
While the news doesn’t seem to be good for Kandiyohi County in regard to receiving a major broadband grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the county continues to work with Meeker County to get a USDA ReConnect grant. The county is also still waiting for word on the state Border to Border grant.
The Kandiyohi County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution supporting Vibrant Broadband of Litchfield's application for a USDA ReConnect grant. If awarded, the grant would bring high-speed broadband to not only townships in Meeker County, but nine townships in Kandiyohi County.
The Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission extended a contract with Connie Schmoll, who has been working on several broadband projects for the county over the past seven months.
ST. PAUL — Minnesota lawmakers couldn't come to an agreement Wednesday, April 22, on whether to approve new funding for a state program that expands access to broadband internet in places that don't have it.
