5.d) U-reka Broadband Ventures, St. Croix Fiber Networks Meeting Date: 6/2/2009
Agenda Item: �f �/ �)
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City Council Agenda Report
City of Scandia
14727 209ih St. North
Scandia, MN 55073 (651) 433-2274
Action Requested: Hear brief presentation and consider giving a letter of support to
U-reka Broadband Ventures for their proposed St. Croix Fiber
Networks.
Deadline/ Timeline: N/A
Background: • U-reka Broadband Ventures of Stillwater, MN is applying for
federal funding for installation of a fiber-optic network to provide
high-speed internet and telephone services. They have requested
time on the Council agenda to discuss their proposal.
• They previously made a presentation to the Marine on St. Croix
City Council, and received a letter of endorsement from them.
Recommendation: I recommend that the Council hear the presentation and direct staff to
prepare the letter of endorsement, if you believe it would be
appropriate.
Attachments/ • Letter dated May 6 from U-reka Broadband Ventures
Materials provided: . Sample letter of endorsement
Contact(s): John Schultz, President
U-reka Broadband Ventures
651 967-7196
Prepared by: Anne Hurlburt, Administrator
(ureka broadband)
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OS/27/09
� �������1�� May 6, 2009
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CITY G�F �:;A.NDIA U-reka Broadband Ventures
� 176 Rutherfa�d Road
StiNvva�-,MN 5.50�2
Anne Hurlburt-Scandia City Administrator
14727 209th Street North
Scandia, MN 55073
Anne:
U-reka Broadband Ventures is excited to announce the creation of our new venture,
St. Croix Fiber Nefinrorks, and our goal to provide next generation fiber-to-the-
premise technologies to your community. This nefinrork would supply competitive
high-speed Internet and Telephone services to all of the residences and businesses
in your community.
We are currently preparing our application to the National Telecommunications and
Information Administration (NTIA) and Rural Utility Service (RUS) for funding. We
would appreciate a letter of support from your community and also a discussion of
the services we could provide your local unit of government.
We would appreciate the opportunity to be put on the agenda of your community's
next Board meeting to introduce ourselves to the community, discuss the services we
will be offering and answer any questions that you might have.
Please feel free to contact me at 651 967-7196 or jschultz u-rekabroadband.com
with any questions.
Sincerely,
� 2 � -�b
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John Schultz
President U-reka Broadband Ventures
Cc: Dennis Seefeldt City of Scandia Mayor
May 19, 2009
co�nMUNir�r �.�-rE��
HERE
Rural Utility Service
National Telecommunications and Information Administration
Washington, DC
To whom it may concem:
This letter is in support of the fiber-to-the-premise build by St. Croix Fiber Nefinrorks in
the community of(name of community here).
This new nefinrork will enable our community to provide high-speed services to our
community facilities and enable better govemment to our constituents. St. Croix
Fiber Nefinrorks has committed to provide fiber-based connectivity between our
govemment facilities to allow for better communication befinreen our city staff and its
citizens.
In addition the creation of this network will increase the ability of our citizens to have
access to competitive high-speed services and in some instances offer them the first
opportunity for broadband intemet. We believe that this network will enable
economic growth within our community from the ability to work from home for our
residents to bringing new businesses and residences to our community.
Our community encourages your approval of the requested loan/grant amount to
enable this network.
Please feel free to contact me at �ocx xxx-xxx or youremail(a�vour-domain.com with
any questions.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Title