COTTONWOOD COUNTY FIBER BUILDOUT PROJECTS

Federated Broadband has multiple fiber optic buildouts currently in construction throughout Cottonwood County. See below for specific details regarding each project, timelines, how to sign up, and what to do if we aren't currently in your area.

City of Mountain Lake

Faster internet speeds are coming to homes and businesses in the city of Mountain Lake, MN.

Current Construction Status

Engineering for the Mountain Lake fiber optic project is currently underway. A proposed project map shown above.

Residents and property owners are encouraged to complete and submit a construction consent form to Federated Broadband to ensure a service drop is installed during construction.

Construction is anticipated to begin in late April to early May 2026, weather permitting.

Interested in learning more? Join us for a come-and-go Meet & Greet to ask questions and connect with our team:

Location: Mountain Lake Community Center
Date: Wednesday, April 15
Time: 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Stop by anytime to learn more about the project, get your questions answered, and see what fiber internet will mean for your home or business.

Cottonwood County Ring

This project is supported by the Cottonwood County Board of Commissioners.

Fiber optic infrastructure ring by Federated Broadband in Cottonwood County

Current Construction Status

Phase 1 - County 5 & County 54

Mainline and drop construction has been completed for addresses that submitted a construction consent form prior to October 15, 2025.
Splicing and testing is set to be complete the first week of November 2025.
Homeowners will be contacted to schedule home installation once we have the final green light from our contractors.

Phase 2 - County 53/290th Street

Mainline and drop construction has been completed for addresses that submitted a construction consent form prior to October 15, 2025.
Splicing has yet to be completed in this phase.

Phase 3 - County 2 & County 44

Mainline and drop construction has been completed for addresses that submitted a construction consent form prior to October 15, 2025.
Splicing has yet to be completed in this phase.

What equipment is installed for a fiber optic connection?

1. In the event an underground fiber drop is used; our contractor will plow or drill the fiber line to your property. This means very little yard disturbance.

2. Where underground plant is used; a pedestal will be installed that will serve several homes. Where overhead plant is used, the drop will come directly from the pole. View a preliminary map for locations and fiber routes.

3. A 9" x 12" gray box (Network Interface Device or NID) would be installed on the side of your house. (Items #1-3 are all covered under the project cost and add value to your property.)

How do I sign up to receive a Federated Broadband fiber drop?

A construction consent form will need to be completed and returned to Federated Broadband prior to any construction starting. You can find an online fillable form below. You can also complete a paper version, available to print below, and mail it to our office at PO Box 69, Jackson, MN 56143, or you can email it to info@federatedbroadband.coop. You can also drop it off in the payment drop-off box outside our Jackson location.

What do GIG-speeds provide?

GIG - speed internet is incredibly fast and allows you to work remotely, take remote classes for high school or college, do telemedicine doctor appointments and stream television that’s 4K quality. GIG speed internet can help retain and attract young people to the rural lifestyle with the access to high-speed internet. These speeds are comparable to Twin Cities internet options with competitive pricing too. Drop your landline with voiceover internet (VoIP) or use WIFI calling for improved cell phone reception. Even if you do not presently use the internet, this fiber connection adds to your home’s resale value.

Sign Up - ONLINE

Sign Up - PRINTABLE

My address isn't in either of these buildouts. When am I going to get fiber?

We understand your excitement and eagerness for fiber internet - and we share it! Federated Broadband is committed to bringing future-proof, high-speed fiber optic service to our entire service territory. If you are seeing construction activity in nearby townships but not yet at your address, please know that your aread remains part of our long-term plan.

Bringing fiber to rural areas is a massive undertaking, and construction phases are prioritized based on two primary factors:

Grant Funding and State Requirements: Many of our current and initial buildouts are finanicially supported by state grants, such as Border-to-Border and Line Extension. These grants are specifically designed to service areas most lacking in high-speed services as dictated by the State of Minnesota. Grant phases, while necessary, do not always follow the most logical geographic order.
Member Interest and Density: As a cooperative, we must make smart, sustainable investments. For areas not covered by a grant, we plan construction based on demonstrated member interest and density. We need to prove sufficient demand and population to make the project financially feasible and responsible for all our member owners. Completing buildouts in higher density areas first helps us bring in additional funds to extend construction into for rural, low density areas of our service territory.

Consumers trust local Cooperatives

A national poll recently showed that electric cooperative values give consumers faith that a local co-op would do a better job of providing reliable, affordable broadband services than big telecommunications companies. This is due to the local ownership, community infrastructure and reliabilitiy. Federated Rural Electric has served our member since 1935 providing safe, reliable and affordable electric services. In January 2022, Federated Rural Electric add Federated Broadband, formerly Back 40 Wireless, to our service offiering; the cooperative also is applying for grants to bring GIG-speed internet to all of its rural member-owners in Jackson and Martin Counties and beyond in Cottonwood County. More information about residential fiber speed packages can be found HERE.