1,001 homes, farms, and businesses in Chisago County will soon have access to high-speed broadband access. That is thanks to a partnership between the Federal Communications Commission’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) and Midco after the company won a $1.1 million auction to expand service.

Senator Mark Koran (R-North Branch) applauded the partnership and issued the following statement:

“There is no denying high-speed internet is now a utility that communities must look to expand and make available for their residents,” said Senator Koran. “The COVID pandemic has only made that reality more clear as Minnesotans have become reliant on an internet connection for work, school, medicine, socialization, and entertainment.  In Greater Minnesota, far too many folks still don’t have access to high-speed internet, but with programs like the RDOF and an increased emphasis at the Capitol ending that disparity is within reach.”

Construction in Lindstrom and Chisago Lake Township will begin this year and some locations covered by the RDOF award will begin receiving broadband by the end of the year. Midco will serve most of Chisago County’s new service areas with fiber broadband services capable of delivering 5 Gbps of download and upload speeds. Additionally, the regional communications company to serve thousands of additional new homes and businesses in the County in the coming years.

High-speed internet access is critical to economic opportunity, job creation, education, and civic engagement. RDOF will direct up to $20.4 billion to expand broadband in unserved rural areas.