Faster internet speeds are coming to 480 households, businesses and farms in portions of Jackson County thanks to the DEED Border to Border Grant. On July 5th, 2023 Federated Broadband was awarded a $7,068,222 grant to serve rural portions of Jackson County with GIG-speeds, installing 251 miles of fiber. The townships covered under this grant are: LaCrosse, Wiemer, Western Heron Lake, Alba, Rost, Hunter, Sioux Valley, Minneota and Ewington. This project is being supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number CPFFN0179 awarded to the State of Minnesota by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. What do GIG-speeds provide? GIG -speed internet allows you to work remotely, take remote classes for high school or college, do telemedicine doctor appointments and stream television that’s 4K quality. GIG speed internet can help retain and attract young people to the rural lifestyle with access to highspeed internet. These speeds are comparable to Twin Cities internet options with competitive pricing too. Drop your landline with voiceover internet (VoIP) or use WIFI calling for improved cell phone reception. Even if you do not presently use the internet, this fiber connection adds to your home’s resale value. Jackson Co. B2B Grant – Federated Broadband Projected Timeline: Date Task June 28, 2023 Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan Announced awardees of the State Grants to Expand Broadband Access. July 2023 Federated Rural Electric/Broadband was awarded the grant, federal award number CPFFN0719. Aug. 2023 Broadband team met and discussed the infrastructure of the buildout and the procedure of home installs. Spring 2024 First round of drops and fiber splicing to be completed throughout the target area. What equipment is installed for a fiber optic connection? 1. In the event an underground fiber drop is used; our contractor will plow or drill the fiber line to your property. This means very little yard disturbance. Most services in Northrop have overhead electric and in these cases; an overhead fiber drop will be used. 2. Where underground plant is used; a pedestal will be installed that will serve several homes. Where overhead plant is used, the drop will come directly from the pole. View a preliminary map for locations and fiber routes. 3. This 9" x 12" gray box (Network Interface Device or NID) would be installed on the side of your house. (Items #1-3 are all covered under the project cost and add value to your property even if you do not sign up for a fiber monthly service package.) DRAFT MAP: Jackson Co. Border to Border Fiber Lines (Click to Enlarge) Federated Broadband Fiber Packages Managed WIFI required with fiber connection. This saves you the hassle of buying a router & allows us to do trouble-shooting with you over the phone, saving you a service call fee. How do I sign up to receive a Federated Broadband fiber drop? A construction consent form will need to be completed and returned to Federated Broadband prior to any construction starting. You can find the form by visiting here. You can complete a paper version and mail it to our office at PO Box 69, Jackson, MN 56143, or you can email it to info@federatedbroadband.coop. You can also drop it off in the payment drop-off box outside our Jackson location. What’s available for those not in the target area? We are always open to questions regarding the Jackson County border to border grant. If you want to learn more about this grant or how it can benefit you, please feel free to contact us anytime. We are happy to help you with any inquiries or concerns you may have. How do I sign up to receive a Federated Broadband fiber drop? Construction consent form will need to be completed and return to Federated Broadband prior to any construction that will begin on your property. You can find the form by visiting here. You can complete a paper version and mail it to our office at PO Box 69, Jackson, MN 56143, or you can email it to info@federatedbroaband.coop. You can also drop it off in the payment drop-off box outside our Jackson location. Consumers trust local Cooperatives Federated Broadband packages are listed with the basic fiber internet package starting at $70.00/month. A national poll recently showed that electric cooperative’s values give consumers faith that a local co-op would do a better job of providing reliable, affordable broadband services than big telecommunications companies. This is due to the local ownership, community infrastructure and reliability. In January 2022, Federated Rural Electric added Federated Broadband, formerly Back 40 Wireless, to our service offerings; the cooperative also is applying for grants to bring GIG-speed internet to all of its rural member-owners in Jackson and Martin Counties. Federated Rural Electric has served our members since 1935 providing safe reliable affordable service. Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) Federated is committed to offering affordable internet for its members. If you are struggling financially, you could qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program if you meet the eligibility requirements. 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. You can learn more about the benefit, including eligibility and enrollment information, by visiting Getinternet.gov or by calling 877-384- 2575.