A Windom-based regional fiber-to-the-home project received a $12.8-million shot in the arm this afternoon with Sen. Amy Klobuchar's announcement that the project will receive a federal grant/loan.
At 3:20 p.m. today, Klobuchar told Citizen Online that the project had received a $6.4-million grant and a $6.4-million loan. This project brings about dramatic change for households and businesses throughout Cottonwood, Jackson and Nobles counties. If the project moves forward, as expected, thousands of homes and businesses will have access to fiber optics for things like high-speed Internet, data lines, television and telephone.
The project calls for the Windom fiber optics network to be expanded with underground fiber installed linking cities like Jackson, Lakefield, Heron Lake, Round Lake, Brewster and others. Local officials have long stated that if the necessary $12-million becomes available, the project is virtually certain to move forward.
"Obviously Windom and the surrounding communities have been leaders in broadband," Klobuchar said.
If the grant is approved, Olsen said construction could start within 30 days.
