Broadband Committee

Broadband Line Extension Connection Program

The State of Minnesota’s Office of Broadband Development (OBD) recently created the Broadband Line Extension Connection Program with the purpose of providing grants for the extension of existing broadband infrastructure to unserved locations. An unserved location is a location that does not have a wired broadband service of at least 25Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload. Wright County residents and businesses are encouraged to report that they are unserved by submitting an application:

    • Online Broadband Line Extension Connection Application
    • Household Downloadable Application
    • Business Downloadable Application
    • For assistance completing the application or to request a paper form to complete please call 651-259-7610 or email DEED.broadband@state.mn.us.

Every six months, OBD will send the list of addresses to each broadband provider offering service in Minnesota. Providers then have ten days to notify OBD that they can provide service at any of the addresses on the list. OBD will then contact those people to let them know the name of the broadband provider that can offer them service and any discounted pricing plans available. For more information, please see the Line Extension Connection Fact Sheet.


Broadband Fabric Challenge

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has created a new map showing where high-speed service is – and is not – available across the country. An accurate map will help identify the communities in need to funding for high-speed internet projects. Residents are encouraged to dispute, or challenge, inaccurate information show using tools built into the map. There are three types of challenges that can be submitted:

1. Location Challenges:  

     • Add a missing location
     • Correct the address or other details of your location
     • Correct the geographic placement of your home or small business

2. Service Availability Challenges:

      • Correct services not offered or reported speeds that are not available for purchase.
      • Report that a provider denied a request for service or demanded connection charges that exceed its standard installation charge.
      • Report that a provider failed to schedule an installation within 10 business days of a request for service or failed to perform the installation.

3. Mobile Availability Challenges:

       • Test your speed, using the FCC Speed Test App. To participate, download the app onto your mobile device.

For location and service availability challenges, please visit the FCC National Broadband Map and enter in your address. For additional information on how to submit a challenge, visit Broadband Data Collection Consumer Information. 


Mission Statement

Our mission is to identify broadband needs in Wright County, identify delivery options within the county, oversee disbursement of state and federal American Rescue Plan funds, serve as a broadband granting organization and serve as a sponsoring agency for internet service providers. 

Wright County was awarded grant funds from the State of Minnesota as part of a Federal Coronavirus Relief Package titled the American Rescue Plan (ARP). With these funds, Counties are expanding infrastructure such as broadband, water/sewer, and ditches. The County would like to address some common questions received with the broadband survey responses regarding government involvement, cost, and provider options. 
View All FAQs

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: Broadband Grant Requests - Website

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.

Survey Report 

• Broadband Service Provider Report

 • Wright County Broadband Feasibility and Assessment

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

Broadband Committee Members & Staff

Name
Email Address
Phone Number
Darek Vetsch, Commissioner District 2 Darek.Vetsch@co.wright.mn.us (763)682-7687
Tina Diedrick, Commissioner District 1 Tina.M.Diedrick@co.wright.mn.us (763)682-7697
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
Zack Breyen, Business Analyst Zachary.Breyen@co.wright.mn.us (763)684-8618