10. Scandia Internet Expansion Summary for 2021Scandia Internet Expansion 2021
7-7-21 Update
The expansion of high-speed broadband in Scandia continues with two separate projects adding a total
of 151 households this year.
The first project is the result of Scandia and MidCo winning another DEED grant from Minnesota as well
as MidCo winning their RDOF bid. MidCo and DEED worked to modify the grant to avoid any overlap
within MidCo’s RDOF area since DEED’s current policy prohibits using state broadband funds in RDOF
locations.
Despite DEED’s funding reduction MidCo will still build the original 79 DEED locations plus 11 more
outside both their DEED and RDOF areas.
The total cost for this first project is $434,144. This covers the original DEED area (79 homes) plus Paris
Ave N. (11 homes). Cost breakout is as follows:
Scandia = $165,000
State = $78,824
MidCo = $190,320
MidCo has already applied for the necessary permits, and surveyed and marked this expansion area.
Construction is expected to begin within a few weeks and be completed by late fall.
The second project is the result of an agreement between Scandia and MidCo. Scandia is providing
direct aid to construction bringing high-speed broadband to 61 more households. The total project cost
is $227,000. Cost breakout is as follows:
Scandia = $85,000
MidCo = $142,000
Construction is expected to begin later this summer with completion by the end of the year.
New construction for each project will be FTTP (Fiber to the Premises) with the capability to provide
speeds of 5 gigabits per second up and down. MidCo will offer telephone and cable TV service in
addition to high-speed Internet, as they do in their current service areas.
MidCo has already identified 62 homes in their RDOF area to be built in 2022 and are evaluating areas
for further expansion next year. They’ll work with the city to apply for another DEED grant this fall and
on other direct aid projects.
The planned expansions for 2021 and 2022 will add a total of 213 households. This will bring the
number of Scandia households with high-speed Internet to 73%, up from the initial 47% before our
expansion work began in 2019.
See accompanying map: ‘Scandia Planned Internet Expansion Areas 2021 & 2022’