News and Events

July 25, 2023 – Independence, MN:

Midco is bringing high-speed and reliable broadband to more Minnesotans.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz recently announced that Midco has been awarded a $1,519,500 grant from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) through the Office of Broadband Development’s Border-to-Border Broadband Program to bring high-speed and reliable broadband to unserved and underserved areas of Independence and Greenfield.

This grant will cover a portion of the more than $3 million total project cost to improve connectivity to more than 400 homes, businesses and farms in the Independence area.

Midco partnered with Hennepin County, which contributed $250,000 for the project and received letters of support from Hennepin County, the City of Independence, and federal and local elected officials from the area as well as over 80 individual letters of support from residents sharing their experiences with poor connectivity and the need for a high-speed, reliable connection.

Midco began its expansion into western Hennepin County in 2021, connecting nearly all of the City of Greenfield, and continued this expansion into Minnetrista and Independence in 2022 and 2023. When the grant area is complete, Midco will have connected over 2,300 passings in western Hennepin County since 2021.

“As a county with rural, suburban and urban residents who lack adequate internet access, Hennepin County has actively pursued opportunities such as this to eliminate the digital divide and to ensure that quality, affordable broadband is available to all of our residents,” said Hennepin County Commissioner Kevin Anderson. “Residents and businesses expect and rely on access to high-speed internet to function in our digital world. With Independence, Minnetrista and Greenfield planning for future growth, it is essential to invest in broadband in the unserved areas of the community and allow them full access to the digital economy. I am thrilled to see these needed projects come to fruition and bring this critical connection to more Hennepin County’s residents.”

“Independence has worked for many years to promote and facilitate the availability of high-speed broadband to this area of our community,” said Mayor Marvin Johnson. “The grant opportunity with Midco, Hennepin County and the State of Minnesota will continue to close the gap for our city and ensure a reliable, robust and affordable connection is available to every resident. We look forward to Midco’s expansion and the positive impact it will have on our community.”
In addition to these grant funds, Midco recently announced the completion of its build in the Minnetrista area that included 461 homes, businesses and farms passed, a $2.3 million total investment in bringing highspeed internet to the Minnetrista area, of which $452,000 was split between the County and City of Minnetrista.

“Midco was thrilled to partner on these projects with the State of Minnesota, Hennepin County and the communities of Independence, Minnetrista and Greenfield. Midco’s investments in the communities we serve are not something we take lightly, and it is collaborations and partnerships like these that ensure we are meeting our communities’ needs and supporting their shared goals of growth and prosperity for all residents,” said Midco’s Government Relations Manager Melissa Wolf.

In addition to fiber internet, Midco also provides TV, phone, networking and advertising services. To find more information, visit midco.com.