Scandia Internet Expansion Update – Spring 2024 + New 2025 Update
Broadband Internet Service Expansion in Scandia will continue with the following areas scheduled for construction in 2024:
- Big Marine Lake - A total of 173 Passings *
- Washington County – American Rescue Plan Funding = 112 Passings
- Big Marine Line Extension – State of MN Funding = 19 Passings
- Meadowbrook Line Extension – State of MN Funding = 5 Passings
- Eco Backen – MidCo Self-Funded = 37 Passings
- Rolling Acres – MidCo Self-Funded = 9 Passings
- Scandia Adjacent to May Township – State of MN Funding = 20 Passings
- Line Extension Grants - State of MN Funding =72 passings (May begin 2025)
The Internet Action Committee continues to work with both MidCo and Frontier to utilize Local, County, State and Federal Funding to reach our goal to provide broadband Internet service to all of Scandia. At the end of 2024 there will be about 380 passing to go before we achieve that goal.
Expansion planning for 2025 is currently underway. For more information see below.
The attached map shows currently served areas (pink) the 2024 construction areas (yellow) and the line extension grants (blue).
An interactive map showing past, present, and future Internet service areas is available on the side menu of the Internet Expansion News Tab of the city’s website. - LINK
To check if MidCo Broadband is available in your area look here: https://www.midco.com/about/service-areas/scandia/
* Broadband Passings: In the context of broadband infrastructure, a “passing” refers to a location that can be connected to fiber running along the main road. It includes areas where fiber is available up to the doorstep or where infrastructure is present along the street.
New Grant Application for 2025
The Internet Action Committee (IAC) made a request to MidCo at its March 2024 meeting to create a project to further expand Broadband Internet in Scandia, specifically asking MidCo to focus on areas along the St. Croix River that have poor Internet service or no Internet availability at all.
MidCo responded and presented a proposal at the IAC’s April meeting. MidCo intends to apply for a new Border to Border broadband grant to the State of Minnesota as follows:
Scandia Project Details: (See Following Map for Areas Included)
- Total Project Cost: $1,337,459
- Midco Contribution: $385,000
- State of Minnesota Contribution (Grant): $ 652,459
- Proposed Scandia contribution: $300,000 (to be determined by City Council on May 1st)
- Scandia project passings: 165
Midco is requesting a local contribution and support from Scandia. The contribution would be contingent upon Midco being awarded the grant from the DEED Office of Broadband Development. DEED prioritizes broadband projects having strong local support, and a financial contribution is a key measure of that support.
If you live within the proposed project area and would like to help, please send a letter of support to:
Kyle Morell to k.morell@ci.scandia.mn.us
or mail them to:
City of Scandia
14727 209th St. N.
Scandia, MN 55073
These must be received no later than May 6th to be included in the grant application.
You may describe how important being connected to high-speed broadband would be and your current situation, poor service, lack of any service, etc.