USDA Provides $16.1 Million to Bring High Speed Internet to Rural Communities Across Minnesota

ST. PAUL, Minn., October 28, 2022 — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director Colleen Landkamer today announced that the Department is provides $16.1 million to bring high-speed internet access to people living and working across rural Minnesota. Today’s investments provides a historic $65 billion to expand reliable, affordable, high-speed internet to all communities across the U.S.

“Rural Minnesota residents need high-speed internet to run their businesses, access remote learning and connect with their loved ones,” Landkamer said. “Minnesota Rural Development partners with communities, local utilities, cooperatives, and the private sector to increase access to high-speed internet ensuring greater opportunities for all. That’s how you grow the economy – not just in rural communities, but across the nation.”

The $16.1 million in loans and grants comes from the third round of funding of the ReConnect Program. As part of today’s announcement, for example:

Tekstar Communications Inc., will use $3,788,680 to deploy a fiber-to-the-premises network that will connect 3,113 people, 171 farms, 103 businesses and a school to high-speed internet in Douglas, Otter Tail, St. Louis, Stearns, and Todd counties in Minnesota. Tekstar Communications Inc. will make high-speed internet affordable by offering its “Gig Price for Life” promotion for new services. Tekstar Communications Inc. will participate in the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity and Lifeline programs.

Mille Lacs Energy Cooperate received a $12,602,274 Rural Development investment to deploy a fiber-to-the-home network to connect 473 people, 15 farms and nine businesses to high-speed internet in Aitkin and Crow Wing counties in Minnesota. Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative will make high-speed internet affordable by participating in the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program. 

Background: ReConnect Program

To be eligible for ReConnect Program funding, an applicant must serve an area that does not have access to service at speeds of 100 megabits per second (Mbps) (download) and 20 Mbps (upload). The applicant must also commit to building facilities capable of providing high-speed internet service with speeds of 100 Mbps (download and upload) to every location in its proposed service area.

To learn more about investment resources for rural areas in Minnesota, visit: www.rd.usda.gov/mn 

Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/mn