EXCERPT: “Kandiyohi County, Minn., is taking fresh aim at a long-sought goal of widening the availability of high-speed Internet service, especially to neighborhoods that remain unserved or underserved. The County Board voted Tuesday to help fund an engineering study that will examine the feasibility of bringing broadband to rural homes and businesses in Dovre, Mamre and St. Johns townships. The ultimate goal is another shot at grant dollars from the border-to-border program of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. ‘We have a process ahead of us. This is one step,’ said Connie Schmoll, business development manager with the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission. The study, which will take about four weeks to complete, is estimated to cost $18,740. The County Board’s vote on Tuesday commits Kandiyohi County to one-fourth of the cost if all the partners agree to go ahead with the study. The three townships are expected to decide within the next few weeks on contributing the remaining 75 percent.” FULLSTORY: http://bit.ly/2Lpc1hN
