Aitkin County Economic Development Broadband update
A Release from Aitkin County Economic Development:
Congratulations to Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative and Paul Bunyan Communications, for receiving the Border to Border grant award. These awards will continue to improve our broadband capabilities in many areas of Aitkin County.
Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative (MLEC) – Phase 6 MLEC Fiber to the Home – GRANT $1,231,818
The last mile fiber-to-the home project will serve 156 unserved households, 9 unserved businesses and 31 unserved farms. The project will also provide service to 39 underserved residents, 3 underserved businesses and 12 underserved farms in Aitkin County, that includes portions of the townships of Spencer, Nordland, Glen and Wealthwood.
In a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota, Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative along with CTC and Aitkin County, will exceed Minnesota’s 2026 state speed goal and bring 1 Gbps symmetrical service to the area. MLEC’s FTTH proposed project will provide a high-quality dependable communications infrastructure that will fundamentally expand the educational, economic, and healthcare opportunities in the area.
The FTTH project will not only help promote rural economic development but will help transform the unserved and under-served areas into highly productive rural communities
Total eligible project cost is $2,473,636 Local match is $1,241,818
Paul Bunyan Communications – Northern Minnesota GigaZone Fiber – GRANT $3,052,120
Paul Bunyan Communications will implement the Northern Minnesota GigaZone Fiber Project to bring high-speed broadband to at least 1,035 homes, businesses, farms, and community anchor institutions in rural portions of Aitkin, Itasca, and St. Louis counties.
In a funding partnership with the state of Minnesota and organized townships located within the proposed project area, Paul Bunyan will improve unserved/underserved levels to up to 10 Gbps upload/download, substantially exceeding Minnesota’s 2026 state speed goal. A last-mile and fiber-to-the premise project, the proposed work is in response to consumer demand and will provide relief in economically distressed communities that need new alternatives to diversify and strengthen. The project will enable businesses to take advantage of online resources including training, marketing, and business support services.
In addition, it will increase quality of life and economic opportunity for all residents by providing new avenues to pursue social life, entertainment, education, and employment. The project will also improve health and safety in the area by better connecting these rural areas to healthcare and emergency services.