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Murray County backs $36,000 match, letter of support for line‑extension broadband grant
Summary
County commissioners unanimously approved a $36,000 local match and a letter of support for a state Line Extension grant application to bring fiber to parts of Fulda and nearby rural areas; the proposed project would serve roughly 55 homes over about 18.7 miles at an estimated cost of about $682,000.
Representatives from Finley Engineering urged the Murray County Board of Commissioners to support a state Line Extension broadband grant application aimed at extending fiber to parts of Fulda and adjacent rural areas. Carter, a presenter with Finley Engineering, told the board the application targets roughly 55 homes across about 18.7 miles, with a total project estimate near $682,000 and an average cost per passing of about $12,400.
“Given the timing on everything, I think it’s a unique opportunity to bring fiber potentially into the city of Fulda,” Carter said, describing a phased approach that would prioritize town build‑out and allow for rural expansion later. He cited research showing Murray County ranked near the bottom of Minnesota counties for access to 100/20 wired service and said that many smaller towns in the county still lack fiber to the home.
Commissioners asked about timeline, eligibility and matching requirements. Carter said the Line Extension grants are due to the state on Nov. 25 and typically allow a one‑year window to complete construction if awarded. He said Nobles County had pledged a $136,000 match and that a Murray County contribution of up to $36,000 (about 20% of the project’s local match) would strengthen the regional application.
Commissioner Waldorf moved that Murray County provide $36,000 and a letter of support for the application; the motion was seconded and the board voted in favor. After the vote, the presenters thanked the board and offered to coordinate follow‑up details with county staff.
Why it matters: Carter and other presenters argued that building middle‑mile and last‑mile fiber now would improve economic opportunity, enable remote work and education, and position towns for future expansion. The application targets a portion of the county in this round; proponents stressed that winning state funding now could open doors to larger builds later, but they also noted the project’s ultimate reach depends on economics and regional buy‑in.
Next steps: Staff and the project team will finalize the application for the Nov. 25 deadline, record the county’s letter of support, and coordinate any match logistics and follow‑up questions from commissioners.
