Meeker County
| Year | Rank | 100/20 Mbps |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | #55 of 87 | 78.04% |
| 2022 | #61 of 87 | 72.85% |
| 2021 | #77 of 87 | 53.86% |
| 2020 | #75 of 87 | 53.86% |
| 2019 | #74 of 87 | 45.08% |
| 2018 | #57 of 87 | 45.08% |
| 2017 | #57 of 87 | 38.13% |
Meeker County: Building Momentum With State Grants
Meeker County ranks 55 (up six) for broadband access out of 87 counties. They have 78.04 percent coverage to broadband of 100 Mbps down and 20 up. They have 2100 households without access to broadband at that speed. Estimates indicate that it will cost $19.5 million to get to ubiquitous broadband in the county.
They have had steady, incremental increase in access since 2017. In December 2022, Meeker Cooperative were awarded five successful Border to Border grants totaling $327,000 to expand broadband in the county. In June, ReConnect announced $19,039,348 in funding for Meeker Cooperative Light & Power Association tl connect nearly 500 people, 124 farms, 16 businesses, and one educational facility to high-speed internet in Kandiyohi, Meeker and Stearns counties.
Meeker County is making good progress. They have several providers interested in the area, they will benefit from both Border to Border and a ReConnect grant, yet with less than 80 percent coverage, they retain their yellow ranking.
Household Density
14.8
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
2019 – Nuvera Communications, Inc. – Hutchinson W Project – GRANT $346,282
MN State Grant awarded in 2021: Meeker Cooperative Light & Power Association (Vibrant Broadband) – Lake Koronis – GRANT $41,927 This last mile project will serve approximately 28 unserved and seven underserved locations in Union Grove Township in Meeker County.
2022 – Meeker Cooperative Light & Power Association (Vibrant Broadband) – Big Swan Lake – GRANT $94,182
2022 – Meeker Cooperative Light & Power Association (Vibrant Broadband) – Collinwood Lake – GRANT $104,337
2022 – Meeker Cooperative Light & Power Association (Vibrant Broadband) – Dunns & Richardson Lakes – GRANT $80,202
2022 – Meeker Cooperative Light & Power Association (Vibrant Broadband) – Lake Erie – GRANT $19,093
2022 – Meeker Cooperative Light & Power Association (Vibrant Broadband) – Long Lake – GRANT $29,702 (Learn more)
2023 – ReConnect grant connecting nearly 500 people, 124 farms, 16 businesses, and one educational facility to high-speed internet in Kandiyohi, Meeker and Stearns counties.
Government Districts
U.S. Congress: CD 7
MN Senate: 16, 17, 29
MN House: 16A, 17A, 29A