Koochiching County is showing its support to a plan to bring broadband services to some rural areas.
The County’s board last approved both support and $26-thousand in funding to help with Paul Bunyan Communication’s proposal.
Ted Saxton, a member of the Koochiching Technology Initiative, says both help with Paul Bunyan’s application for state funding.
“Based on the criteria to evaluate these grant applications, the amount letters of support you get count. There’s quite a few factors and that is one of the bigger ones,” says Saxton.
Paul Bunyan proposal would bring Broadband primarily to rural areas west and south of International Falls.
Jim Yount, a member of the Koochiching Technology Initiative, says the County’s investment is a small price to pay for better service.
“When you look at where you want the company to be in 5 or 10 years economically, this is the cheapest $26-thousand and the fastest way to get,” says Yount.
Saxton adds they are also talking with other service providers about bringing broadband services to other areas of the county.
