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Broadband Committee
Mission Statement
Our mission is to identify broadband needs in Wright County, identify delivery options within the county, oversee disbursement of state and federal American Rescue Plan funds, serve as a broadband granting organization and serve as a sponsoring agency for internet service providers.
Wright County Unserved and Underserved Areas
The State of Minnesota provides county maps showing broadband availability: Wright County Map
- Unserved areas: No wireline broadband of at least 25 Mbps download / 3 Mbps upload
- Underserved areas: Wireline broadband speeds of at least 25 Mbps download / 3 Mbps upload but less than 100 Mbps download / 20 Mbps upload
- Served areas: Wireline broadband speeds of at least 100 Mbps download / 20 Mbps upload
Resources
Wright County Broadband Feasibility Study
In 2021, Wright County contracted with Design Nine of Blacksburg, Virginia to complete a feasibility study. The study provided a baseline of information to analyze, select and implement the best solution(s) to improve broadband within Wright County.
American Rescue Plan Funds
Wright County was awarded grant funds from the federal government as part of a Federal Coronavirus Relief Package titled the American Rescue Plan (ARP). With these funds, Wright County has awarded grants to multiple internet service providers. More information on granted projects is available on the Broadband Projects page.
Agendas & Minutes
Broadband Committee Members & Staff
Name |
Email Address |
Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
| Darek Vetsch, Commissioner District 2 | Darek.Vetsch@co.wright.mn.us | (763)682-7687 |
| Tina Diedrick, Commissioner District 1 | Tina.M.Diedrick@co.wright.mn.us | (763)682-7697 |
| Lee Kelly, County Administrator | Lee.Kelly@co.wright.mn.us | (763)682-7378 |
| Elizabeth Karels, Project Administrator | Elizabeth.Karels@co.wright.mn.us | (763)684-8604 |
| Matthew Fomby, IT Director | Matthew.Fomby@co.wright.mn.us | (763)682-7316 |
| Lindsey Meyer, Finance Director | Lindsey.Meyer@co.wright.mn.us | (763)684-8602 |
| Heather Lemieux, Assistant Finance Director | Heather.Lemieux@co.wright.mn.us | (763)682-7582 |
| Greg Kryzer, Civil Division Chief | Greg.Kryzer@co.wright.mn.us | (763)682-7344 |
| John Holler, Communications Specialist | John.Holler@co.wright.mn.us | (763)684-4532 |
| Zack Breyen, Business Analyst | Zachary.Breyen@co.wright.mn.us | (763)684-8618 |
- Is Wright County becoming an internet provider?
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No, Wright County will never be an internet provider. The County intends to partner with established internet providers and pay the cost of laying fiber to extend and strengthen services to rural areas, areas which are currently underserved or not served at all. The County will be partnering with internet providers who show plans to expand service of Wright County to ensure more areas will receive access to internet.
- How will the County be involved in this?
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Wright County is involved in this by running internet speed tests, community surveys, meetings with providers, and paying for the providers to expand services to rural areas, underserved areas, and unserved areas to allow access for greater numbers.
- Will I have better/more options of internet providers to choose from?
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The intent of using American Rescue Plan funds for broadband is to provide the ability for more internet providers to expand services into portions of the county. However, it is up to those private businesses to determine where they provide service; the County will have no involvement in the process.
- Will this lower my monthly internet service bill?
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The price each household pays monthly for internet services is dependent on the plan the household agreed to and the providers price schedule. The County has no involvement in monthly costs as the County Government is not an internet provider.
- Will I have to pay for this?
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No. The County will be paying for the installation of fiber using the federal funds awarded through the American Rescue Plan.
- Will I have to pay for other people's internet service?
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No. You would continue paying for your own internet services only.