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Two requests for financial assistance for providing Internet to under served areas of Chisago County were granted at last week’s County Board meeting.  With Commissioner Marlys Dunne absent, the votes were unanimous to assist Hometown Internet with broadband  enhancements in the Amador Township area,  and to help Midcontinent (MIDCO) projects from Wyoming-to-Stacy-to the south corner of North Branch at 375th and Forest Blvd. An area in Chisago Lake Township, at Green Lake Trail and 250th is also in the MIDCO plan.

Hometown Internet qualified for $200,000 out of Chisago County’s multi-million allocation from federal American Relief Program Aid (ARPA.)  Company representative Sam Ashkar said the total project has an estimated cost of $462,869.  Almelund is contributing $5,000, leaving about $258,000 for the company and partners to cover.

The County Board dedicated $2 million from outside economy recovery monies it received, to broadband.  This is because Internet service is not cost-effective in many areas of the county, and is poor or non-existent where terrain or distance between customers create unrecoverable expense.  With aid being available, broadband providers can be attracted to enhance or install new service.

MIDCO proposes to service 137 customers identified as individual “passings” on the fiber equipment installation  routes.  Whether they subscribe or not is up to the customer, who also will be paying for their actual service contract.

The MIDCO work estimate is $798,000 and the company requested $149,000.  

County Administrator Chase Burnham explained that MIDCO is also seeking aid from Minnesota’s Border to Border broadband grant program.  If this money is not awarded— the Chisago County projects in this proposal will not be completed.

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