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Board signs letter of support for Red River Communications BEAD bid, pledges $5,000 ARPA if grant awarded
Summary
Clay County commissioners approved a letter of support for Red River Communications’ Federal BEAD (Broadband Equity Access and Deployment) application and pledged $5,000 in ARPA funds to be paid if Red River’s grant application is successful.
The Clay County Board signed a letter of support and pledged a conditional contribution of $5,000 in ARPA funds to help Red River Communications’ application for the federal Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) grant administered by Minnesota DEED and in collaboration with NTIA.
Tom, representing Red River Communications, described a targeted project to add approximately 17 previously excluded locations north of Holly and some locations in neighboring Traverse County. He said the planned build would connect those households by fiber and that local matching funds and letters of support strengthen BEAD and other federal grant applications.
County staff said the ARPA funds would be provided only if Red River’s BEAD application is approved. Commissioners also noted prior ARPA commitments to broadband projects and that $25,000–$30,000 had been used for other broadband partnership efforts in prior cycles. The board approved the letter of support and the conditional $5,000 contribution by voice vote.
Red River said the North Holly project has been bid and is ready to begin pending state historic-preservation clearance. The company will continue outreach to the affected residents to secure subscriptions and finalize plans. Commissioners asked that the company coordinate with local officials and highlighted that some residents already rely on satellite or cellular options.
The letter of support and conditional ARPA pledge are intended to increase the competitiveness of Red River’s BEAD application; the $5,000 contribution will be disbursed only if the federal grant is awarded.
