Minnesota Electric Cooperatives Secure Over $22 Million in Broadband Grants

Minnesota’s electric cooperatives have been awarded more than $22 million in Round 10 of the Border-to-Border Broadband Development Grant Program, administered by the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). These grants will allow cooperatives to extend affordable, reliable broadband services to underserved and unserved areas across the state, facilitating essential connectivity for rural residents, businesses, and farms.

In total, these projects will drive over $46 million of investment into rural Minnesota, with electric cooperatives contributing millions of dollars in local matches and support. This major investment highlights the electric cooperatives’ commitment to strengthening communities through improved broadband infrastructure.

“This grant funding is a testament to the hard work and dedication of Minnesota’s electric cooperatives in ensuring rural communities have access to the same reliable and affordable broadband as more urban areas,” said Darrick Moe, CEO of the Minnesota Rural Electric Association (MREA). “Broadband access is no longer a luxury — it’s essential for education, business, healthcare, and overall quality of life in rural communities. These projects will have long-term impacts on the economic vitality and connectivity of Greater Minnesota.”

A Major Investment in Rural Minnesota

The total investment in these broadband projects, combining grant funds and local matching dollars from cooperatives, exceeds $46 million. This infusion of resources will provide rural Minnesotans with reliable, high-speed internet, fostering economic growth, supporting local businesses, and improving access to essential services such as telemedicine and education.

Minnesota’s Electric Cooperatives Expanding Connectivity

Several Minnesota electric cooperatives were awarded grants through this program, contributing to a collective push to improve internet access in some of the most remote areas of the state:

• East Central Energy was awarded nearly $7 million for two broadband projects in Mille Lacs County, serving over 1,400 locations. The projects will offer state-of-the-art fiber-to-the-premise (FTTP) technology to residents, businesses, and farms in rural communities that are either unserved or underserved.
• Federated Rural Electric Association received an $8 million grant for its Martin County Low-Density Project. This initiative will bring FTTP technology to 457 locations in rural Martin County, enhancing connectivity for farmers, businesses, and residents.
• Meeker Cooperative Light & Power Association received more than $2.8 million in grant funding for several township-level projects, including those in Gennessee, Paynesville, Kandiyohi, and Cokato Townships. These projects will improve broadband speeds for over 800 locations, allowing residents to access better e-learning, telemedicine, and other digital services.
• Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative was awarded $1.8 million for its Cedar Lake project, which will expand fiber-to-the-home technology to 421 locations in Aitkin County, supporting distance learning, remote work, and local businesses.
• MiEnergy Cooperative was awarded $3.16 million for its Southwest Fremont project in Winona and Fillmore counties. The project will bring FTTP technology to 396 locations, including 342 unserved and 54 underserved. Partnering with the Mabel Cooperative Telephone Company, the project will offer essential services such as telemedicine, online education, and remote work opportunities.