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Broadband Committee
Broadband Grant Recipients
Wright County is excited to announce our grant recipients for our most recent broadband expansion project. We will be adding fiber opportunities to 1,645 total households across the county:
Mission Statement
- 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.
Wright County Broadband Feasibility Study
Wright County has contracted with Design Nine of Blacksburg, Virginia to complete a feasibility study, with an expected completion of December 2021. The study will provide information needed to analyze, select and implement the best solution(s) to improve broadband within Wright County.
Affordable Connectivity Program
The Affordable Connectivity Program is an FCC benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more. The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price. The Affordable Connectivity Program is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household. For more information on the program visit https://www.fcc.gov/acp.
Wright County Unserved and Underserved Areas
Agendas & Minutes
Broadband Committee Members & Staff
Name |
Email Address |
Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
| Darek Vetsch | Darek.Vetsch@co.wright.mn.us | (763)682-7687 |
| Mark Daleiden | Mark.Daleiden@co.wright.mn.us | (763)682-7686 |
| 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 |