Brown County

Table of goal data by year

Year	25/3 Mbps	100/20 Mbps
2020	#48 of 87 83.67%	#48 of 87 74.6%
2019	#48 of 87 83.66%	#45 of 87 74.5%
2018	#15 of 87 96.31%	#27 of 87 73.76%
2017	#21 of 87 95.92%	#24 of 87 72.89%

Coverage Map

Rank: 47 (out of 87) for access to 100/20 megabits per second (Mbps)

In 2017, Brown County looked like they were poised to meet speed goals. They have seen little improvement since then, but they will benefit from a Border to Border grant project funded in the last round. That project will help 51 unserved households, 13 unserved businesses, and 64 unserved farms in the New Ulm area in Brown County. Hopefully that will help build a momentum moving forward.

What we learned in the past:

Brown County has benefited from two MN state broadband grants:

• 2107 – New Ulm Telecom, Inc.– Hanska A&D FTTP – GRANT $324,894
• 2016 – New Ulm Telecom, Inc. – Hanska – GRANT: $ 200,397

Update from 2020:

Brown County will benefit from a Border to Border Grant awarded in the last cycle:

• 2019: Nuvera Communications, Inc. – New Ulm SW Project – GRANT $385,600
  This last mile project will serve 51 unserved households, 13 unserved businesses, and 64 unserved farms in the New Ulm area in Brown County. In a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota, Nuvera Communications, Inc. will improve broadband service levels up to 1 Gbps download and 1 Gbps upload, exceeding the 2026 state speed goal. This fiber-to-the-premises network will provide reliable, affordable, high quality broadband to rural farms, businesses, and homes. Broadband access will enable these businesses and residences to utilize new technology and tools to grow and enhance their business and community. Residents will also have increased access to health care and education, that will allow them to thrive in a modern world.
• Total eligible cost is $1,101,713
• Local match is $716,113

In March 2020, Nuvera reported that construction had begun on in rural areas of Sleepy Eye, Hutchinson, Mazeppa and Aurelia, Iowa. An enhanced fixed wireless solution was also installed in rural New Ulm by St. George. Fiber overbuilds were completed in four housing development areas in Prior Lake.

Find more articles on broadband in Brown County.