Recent grant will allow Broadband expansion

The Minnesota Office of Broadband Development recently announced that Waseca County is the recipient of a $1.6 million grant to continue expanding access to broadband “fiber” internet access for rural residents.

 

The expanded connection network will now reach sites in the southern parts of Alden, St. Mary’s, and New Richland townships.

 

Commissioner Doug Christopherson, who represents New Richland township, called the $1.6 million grant a “huge win.” He went on to say, “We have constituents eagerly anticipating the availability of this high-quality internet connection.”

 

The recent grant, awarded in “round 10” of the statewide application process, will allow about 160 additional homes and businesses located outside incorporated areas to be connected to the fiber network already under construction in Vivian, Byron, Freedom and Wilton townships. The total number of locations now due to be connected is well over 700.

 

In preparing the grant application which was submitted last May, Waseca County worked closely with Blue Earth-based Bevcomm, a communications company which provides television, phone and internet services. Under the terms of the grant, the county is committed to contribute $165,000 toward the project; Bevcomm will be providing about $230,000.

 

According to Bevcomm’s chief executive officer Bill Eckles, residents and property owners newly eligible to join the network will receive mailings in the near future and will be invited to a public information session sometime after the change of the year. There will be no cost to property owners to have the connecting cables laid, although installation will take place only after paperwork has been signed to authorize the work.

 

Once the expanded network is operational–most likely at the end of summer 2026–those who choose to use the company’s offerings will be billed for the cable television, telephone or internet services they select. Property owners have the option not to use the services at all.

 

In an interview earlier this year, Waseca County commissioner De Malterer, who worked closely with the grant application process, wanted property owners to know that, even if they have no expectation of using Bevcomm’s services, they should strongly consider allowing the network cables to be put in place. Doing so, she said, raises the value of their property by as much as $5,000.

 

When the news of the awarded grant was announced during the Oct. 15 county board meeting, Malterer expressed excitement. “This is a really, really meaningful investment in our county,” she said. “We will now have people in these seven townships able to access high-quality, reliable internet service.”

 

Installation of cable for the four townships covered by the $4.3 million grant awarded in May is already underway in Byron, Freedom, Vivian and Wilton townships. Locations covered by that award will probably have service available by the end of fall 2025.

 

Bevcomm leader Eckles commented, “Waseca County has been a wonderful partner to work with. The letters of support from homeowners and businesses are really what set our application apart. It showed the state how much of a need for better broadband exists in the county. At Bevcomm we feel incredibly fortunate Waseca County chose to work with us. We look forward to continuing to increase our presence in Waseca County in the future.”