Local Counties to Receive Part of $52 Million in Grants to Expand Broadband Access Across Minnesota

(KNSI) — The State of Minnesota announced $52 million in grants to expand broadband access to approximately 7,700 homes and businesses.

The new grants, funded through two programs from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, will help broadband providers expand service in 24 counties.

DEED’s $25 million Border to Border Broadband Program reimburses providers for up to 50% of eligible broadband infrastructure costs, capped at $10 million per project. The Low Population Density Program makes $27 million in grants covering up to 75% of broadband project costs available in areas with low population density and high deployment expenses, also capped at $10 million per project.

In central Minnesota, the portion Benton Cooperative Telephone Company serving Morrison County will get $1,248. Meeker Cooperative Light & Power Association will get $542,077 and Arvig is set to receive $708,790 for their service in Stearns County. Meeker Cooperative Light & Power Association serving Wright County is in line for $945,133. That money will come from the Border to Border Broadband Program. Runestone Telecom Association serving Stearns County is getting $1,538,614 under the Low Population Density Program.

To date, DEED has awarded over $400 million in grants through these programs, helping provide broadband access to nearly 120,000 homes and businesses. Communities and providers contributed over $48 million in matching funds for this round, with over $400 million in total matches across all rounds.

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