In April, we reported on Spring construction of fiber installation by the Southwest Minnesota Broadband Services (SMBS) in the Jackson area. This is a stimulus-funded expansion growing out of the community-owned WindomNet. The original plan was to have construction completed in Jackson by the end of August, but the job was 97% completed in July freeing the way for business and residential installs.
The Jackson County Pilot reported on the July Kiwanis Club meeting where SMBS’s Naomi Pederson presented an update:
As of this past Monday, Pederson said 176 miles of the 181-mile main line had been built.
“People have been thrilled with the service,” Pederson said. “I’m sure businesses will be too.”
Pederson said crews will begin residential installs in Jackson July 16. She anticipates crews will be able to hook up around 100 homes per week.
“Jackson has been one of our best towns, with 73 percent sales — much more than anticipated,” she said. “People are very receptive and are signing up for more services than people in our other towns. More services and more sign-ups mean we’re trying our best to keep up.”
As of this past Monday, Pederson said 176 miles of the 181-mile main line had been built.
“People have been thrilled with the service,” Pederson said. “I’m sure businesses will be too.”
SMBS received $12.8 million in stimulus funds to develop an ftth network to Bingham Lake, Heron Lake, Jackson, Lake Okebena, Round Lake and Wilder. Check out a map of the fiber route on the SMBS website.
The high level of interest in these communities comes in the face of policymakers in Washington, DC, and many state capitals – they assume rural residents don’t know how to use broadband or don’t want it. This program shows that when you make good broadband available to people for a reasonable price, they take it in high numbers.
Thanks to BlandinonBroadband for alerting us to this story.