Stearns County says broadband program has leveraged $60M; pending federal approvals could boost coverage to 6,000+ premises

County staff told the Stearns County Board Wednesday that the county’s multi-year broadband initiative — funded in part with county ARP dollars and township contributions and matched with state and federal Border-to-Border grants — has so far leveraged roughly $60 million in broadband infrastructure and connected more than 5,000 premises.

Staff said the initiative began after a 2017 study that showed several thousand premises in unserved or underserved areas. The county prioritized large-area grant solicitations and asked internet service providers to propose builds covering full unserved areas rather than piecemeal service. Townships contributed ARP dollars to strengthen grant applications and demonstrate local support.

The county’s first phases included projects with Arvig, Midco and co-op partnerships; staff said all initial applications were funded. Two grant applications remain before the NTIA for final federal approval, covering additional pockets in the southern and central portions of the county. If those applications are approved, county staff said the effort will bring total leveraged infrastructure to about $85 million and cover roughly 1,255 additional premises, surpassing 6,000 premises with fiber-to-the-premises service.

Staff provided a breakdown of funding: about $15.8 million of county ARP dollars, roughly $21 million in Border-to-Border grants and municipal and township contributions totaling roughly $1.2 million were cited as part of the leveraged total. The county said much of the remaining build activity is scheduled to finish this year and in 2026; federal NTIA decisions were expected in early December.

Commissioners praised the program’s regional partnerships and township support and said the project improves business, education and health‑care access in rural areas. No board action was required; the item was informational.