County to apply for grant to fund more broadband

20 Aug 2018


Mille Lacs

Aitkin County may have an opportunity to increase its broadband funding through the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation (IRRRB) community infrastructure grant. Upon recommendation from Economic Development Coordinator Ross Wagner, the board approved submitting an application for the IRRRB grant during its regular meeting on July 24.

Last year, the county dedicated $450,000 for a three-year Aitkin County Broadband Development Grant, to be funded at $150,000 a year for local projects. This year, SCI Broadband, Inc. and Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative (MLEC) submitted applications to the county.

The Economic Development Committee recommended the county award its grant to SCI since it will reach 100 more homes than MLEC’s proposal, and will spread the availability of fiber to premise in more areas of the county.

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