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MARTIN COUNTY FIBER BUILDOUT PROJECTS

Federated Broadband has multiple fiber optic buildouts currently in construction throughout Martin 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.

Border-to-Border Round 10

This project is supported by a State of Minnesota DEED Border to Border Grant Award.

Phase 1 - Truman Area
Truman area fiber build map
Phase 2 - Ceylon/Welcome Area
map of eligible locations

Select the map link below to see a full screen version of each construction phase.

Phase 1 Map
Phase 2 Map

On October 9, 2024 the Minnesota Office of Broadband Development announced Federated Rural Electric & Broadband as one of 26 recipients for Grant Round 10. Federated was awarded an $8 million Lower Population Density grant to establish a Fiber to the Premise (FTTP) Network in portions of rural Martin County. 

The grant includes the townships of Lake Belt, Tenhassen, Rolling Green Manyaska, Nashville, and Westford. The project involves 457 households, businesses and farms, including 431 unserved and 26 underserved addresses based on state speed goals.

Current Construction Status

Phase 1

  • Mainline construction has been completed.
  • Drop crews began work the last week of October 2025. Addresses that submitted construction consent forms by October 31, 2025 will have their drop completed by mid-November.
  • Home installation is anticipated to be available by the end of 2025. Homeowners will be contacted.

 

Phase 2

  • Mainline construction began west of the city of Ceylon in late October 2025. Crews will continue working until the ground freezes.

Martin County Ring

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

map showing fiber optic construction route for Federated infrastructure ring

In cooperating with the Martin County Board of Commisssioners, Federated Broadband is installing a main fiber optic infrastructure ring throughout the county. The completion of this ring will provide Federated the opportunity to continuing expanding fiber optic internet services to all of Martin County in the coming years.

Current Construction Status

Phase 1 - Fairmont, Silver Lake & East Chain Townships

  • Construction consent forms were mailed to property owners along the route in these townships in late October 2025.
  • Preconstruction staking and permitting are in process.

  • More information regarding construction timeline to be updated as available.

     

Information regrading additional phases of this buildout will be posted here as they become available.

 

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.)

Network Interface Device (NID)

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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. More information about residential fiber speed packages can be found HERE.