Morrison County Board supports rural broadband expansion

The Morrison County Board of Commissioners heard a request at its Tuesday, April 23 meeting to support a local internet service provider’s grant applications aimed at expanding high-speed fiber optic networks to underserved areas of the county.

County Administrator Matt LeBlanc presented information on grants available through the State Border to Border 10 broadband program and Federal Reconnect 5 funds. He explained that Sytek, based in Upsala, is seeking the Board’s endorsement as it applies for about $4 million from either grant funds to build out service that would impact approximately 400 homes in the vicinity of Flensburg and Sobieski and south to North Prairie.

LeBlanc noted Sytek has invested over $25 million in Morrison County since 2010, with past projects reaching parts of Little Falls, Swanville, and Motley. If awarded the grants, the new project would lay approximately 90 miles of fiber infrastructure.

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