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Goodhue County approves two broadband grant applications, prioritizes Nuvera project
Summary
The county board authorized staff to submit two congressional/federal broadband funding applications — prioritizing a Nuvera $4.2 million proposal for ~214 subscribers and a MediaCom fiber-to-the-home proposal of about $15–16 million for ~841 locations — and recommended ordering them by local priority.
Goodhue County commissioners voted to submit applications for two broadband projects and to prioritize them for federal consideration, naming a Nuvera middle-mile/last-mile proposal as the county’s top priority and a MediaCom fiber-to-the-home project as the secondary priority.
Staff described two proposals: a Nuvera request of about $4.2 million to serve roughly 214 subscribers in parts of Braham Township (sic transcript references local townships) and a MediaCom proposal of nearly $16 million to serve about 841 locations across several unincorporated areas. Both proposers indicated they could provide the required non-federal 25% match; staff said both appeared to meet federal guidelines.
Commissioners discussed the cost per route mile cited by MediaCom, concerns about vendor performance and complaints referenced in consumer reports and the Better Business Bureau, and the county’s past experience with federally directed projects that became complicated to implement. Several commissioners nevertheless supported applying for both projects and prioritizing Nuvera given the county’s prior engagement on a related Nuvera project and the smaller total dollar request.
A motion to submit both applications and prioritize them as recommended by staff passed by voice vote. Commissioners noted limited federal funding and said receiving one award was more likely than both.
Staff will submit the applications to House and Senate offices as requested by Representative and Senate staff and will return with further details if the county obtains funding or needs to negotiate local match and project terms.
