Jackson County
| Year | Rank | 100/20 Mbps |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #83 of 87 | 60.86% |
| 2023 | #78 of 87 | 62.34% |
| 2022 | #76 of 87 | 61.98% |
| 2021 | #65 of 87 | 68.84% |
| 2020 | #59 of 87 | 68.84% |
| 2019 | #55 of 87 | 68.84% |
| 2018 | #33 of 87 | 68.79% |
| 2017 | #26 of 87 | 68.9% |
Red dots represent unserved locations.
Wired (wireline) and wireless (fixed, non-mobile) served location percentage at various speeds.
Jackson County Stuck Near the Bottom of the Ranking
Jackson County ranks 83 (down 5 places) for broadband access out of 87 counties. Their rank and percentage have gone down this year. That is probably because the maps saw greater scrutiny this year but it’s a second setback since we have been track progress.
Jackson County is in a precarious position when it comes to federal (BEAD) funding because looking at access in Chippewa County using the FCC National Map there is a big discrepancy between wireline access (60.86) percent coverage) and wireline with fixed wireless (97.86 percent). Minnesota doesn’t currently take fixed wireless into consideration when defining areas eligible for grants; the federal government does include access to fixed wireless. That could make a big difference to who is eligible for BEAD funding.
- Over the years, Jackson County (or cities within) has not invested in match for any successful MN Broadband grants.
- Jackson County will not benefit from a 2024 MN Broadband grant.
- Jackson County will benefit from 27 line extension awards (Rounds 1 and 2), which extend broadband to individual locations.
- Last years’ estimates indicated that it would cost $15.9 million to get ubiquitous broadband in the county. (I haven’t updated the number because recent report offers scenarios of costs based on BEAD funding rules that make current estimates less predictable than in the past. Yet, I think the number is still helpful.)
- In 2022, Jackson ranked 84th using Microsoft’s Digital Equity Tool, which looks at various factors of a community.
- In 2023, Federated Rural Electric got a $7 million Border to Border grant to serve 480 households, businesses, and farms in Jackson County.
Household Density
6.3
Number of Providers
23
As of 2023 · Source: MN DEED
Households with Device Access
statewide
statewide
statewide
statewide
statewide
Has Worked with Blandin Foundation
Yes
Has Received MN Grant(s)
Yes
2010 – Southwest Minnesota Broadband Services (SMBS) received ARRA funds to deploy fiber to the home in Jackson and other counties. Through SMBS, Jackson County was also part of the Blandin Broadband Communities initiative in 2015-2016
2015 – MVTV Wireless Middle Mile – Grant award: $808,080
There is a matrix of Minnesota broadband adoption projects; it includes projects from this area.
2023 – Federated Rural Electric Assoc. – Jackson County Fiber-To-The-Premises – GRANT $7,068,222