Grant Recipents

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development’s (DEED) 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.

“We are ecstatic for the opportunity to continue building out a fiber optic network to serve our members in Martin County,” stated Scott Reimer, Federated’s general manager. “It is an incredible honor to receive this second broadband development grant from the state of Minnesota. It proves a commitment not only from Federated, but also the state to improve internet access and help bridge the digital divide for rural Minnesotans, like our members.”

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.

The project’s total cost is estimated at $10.6 million with Martin County, Lake Belt and Rolling Green Townships partnering and contributing $800,000. Federated will secure long-term loans for the remaining balance, similar to what is done for financing the electric distribution line system.

“The service we will be able to provide to more of our members through this grant will help improve quality of life in our rural landscape,” Reimer added. “Fiber optic opens wider doors for telehealth, distance learning, improved entertainment opportunities and better access to financial management. This grant provides a two-year time frame for project completion and we will be working with Finley Engineering for this project as we have for our Jackson County grant.”

The State of Minnesota announced grants totaling $51.9 million across 26 projects in the Round 10 Grant. This includes 18 Border-to-Border grants and eight Low-Density grants. Federated’s grant is funded under the Low-Density program.