E-Mail from ECE to Kronmiller Regardomg ECE Fiber ProjectFrom: Ty Houglum <ty.houglum@ecemn.com>
Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2021 3:44:09 PM
To: s.kronmiller <s.kronmiller@ci.scandia.mn.us>
Subject: ECE Broadband Follow-up
Good afternoon,
On November 19, the East Central Energy (ECE) Board of Directors voted to move forward with developing a plan for a full fiber to the home project. Our completed feasibility study has
indicated that with the appropriate funding from grants and other sources, it is reasonable for ECE to provide fiber throughout our service territory. ECE will be spending the next
few months putting together a comprehensive plan for the businesses and residents in our 14-county service territory. Upon completion, our board will make a final determination on the
overall project. The plan will be designed based on fiber only and will lay out a phased approach for a project that could cost as much as $300M.
As many of you know, electric cooperatives have helped solve the broadband problem across the nation and have been successful in large-scale deployments. Maintaining ECE’s financial
solvency is non-negotiable, and we will move forward with this project only if that is protected by appropriate funding. Therefore, we will be working to develop relationships and communicate
with the communities we serve.
Because community engagement and a singular voice is of the utmost importance in securing funding for a project like the one ECE is exploring, we’re asking you to consider supporting
this effort at a local, county, state, and federal level. What that support looks like remains to be seen, but this is an opportunity to bridge the digital divide once and for all.
Beyond retail broadband, ECE would position itself as an electric co-op providing safe, reliable electricity, while moving forward with smart grid initiatives and implementing technologically
relevant solutions to industry trends. This solution would provide many layers of value to taxpayers, and we are hopeful that it will receive support from policy leaders and funding
decision makers.
As the plan comes together, we will be sharing more information, and we will be reaching out to many of the local entities we serve to see how we can collaborate on this significant
regional project.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks
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Ty Houglum | Vice President / CIO
East Central Energy
412 Main Avenue N | PO Box 39 | Braham, MN 55006
T: 763-689-7488 | ty.houglum@ecemn.com | www.eastcentralenergy.com
Customer Service: 1 800-254-7944