08.c Internet Expansion Summary for 2021Scandia Internet Expansion 2021 - 2022
July 2021 Update
The expansion of high-speed broadband in Scandia continues with two separate projects adding 151 households in 2021
and another project adding 62 households in 2022.
The first project is the result of Scandia and MidCo winning another Minnesota Broadband Grant (DEED) as well as
MidCo winning their Rural Digital Opportunity Fund auction (RDOF). 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 and 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
Construction on this project has begun and will 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.
Lastly, MidCo has identified 62 homes in their RDOF area to be built in 2022 and are evaluating areas for further
expansion in 2022 in partnership with Scandia.
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.
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 1313, having added 468 households to the pre-existing 845 households since
our expansion work began in 2019. So, we’ll have increased Scandia’s broadband coverage from 44% to 73%.
Our goal is to continue this expansion until all households are covered by the end of 2024. We’ll use local, state, federal
and private funding to reach this goal thus bringing high-speed Internet to all of Scandia as quicky and economically as
possible.
The following map shows the new expansion areas for 2021 – 2022:
For information on MidCo look here:
https://midco.com/about/service-areas/scandia
Here are some pictures of this year’s construction in progress:
New Junction box and fiber conduit near 22605 Olinda Trl N. This is to expand from service area added last year to the
new areas this year. This line will go to Pilar Rd N and Paris Ave N.
Here’s a truck with fiber conduit parked at the intersection of Pilar Rd N and Paris Ave N.
This is the “Ditch Witch” the digs the ditch for the fiber conduit. This was on Paris Ave N.
This is at the intersection of Olinda Trl N and Oren. New junction box for equipment to feed homes along Oren and
Olgilvie N onto Oldfield Ave N and then to 236th and 237th St N and 240 St N.
Small equipment enclosure on Oren. Note fiber conduit coming out of the ground.
Another equipment enclosure on Oren near Olgilvie.
Service tap enclosure near house on Olgilvie.
Fiber conduit on Olgilvie.
Second crew digging at intersection of Oren and Oldfield.
Second truck with fiber conduit spool at Oren and Oldfield.