Renville County
| Year | Rank | 100/20 Mbps |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #74 of 87 | 71.99% |
| 2023 | #70 of 87 | 72.23% |
| 2022 | #67 of 87 | 70.79% |
| 2021 | #63 of 87 | 70.86% |
| 2020 | #66 of 87 | 63.23% |
| 2019 | #62 of 87 | 59.06% |
| 2018 | #50 of 87 | 51.78% |
| 2017 | #42 of 87 | 50.43% |
Red dots represent unserved locations.
Wired (wireline) and wireless (fixed, non-mobile) served location percentage at various speeds.
Renville County: Still Stuck
Renville County ranks 74 (down 3) for broadband access out of 87 counties. Their percent covered dipped slightly but that is likely within a margin of error. Renville County has been working on better broadband for more than 10 years, but they have stayed stagnant at 70 percent coverage. Their 2024 MN State grant with Hanson Communication should help them see improvement. However, until then they retain their ref ranking.
They may be concerned about being in a potentially precarious position because looking at access in the County using the FCC National Map there is a big discrepancy between wireline access and wireline with fixed wireless. 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, Renville County (or cities within) has not invested in matches for any successful MN Broadband grants.
- Renville County will benefit from a 2024 $2 million MN Broadband grant (Round 10) award that will serve 283 locations.
- Renville County will not benefit from any line extension awards.
- Last years’ estimates indicated that it would cost $16 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, Renville ranked 66 using Microsoft’s Digital Equity Tool, which looks at various factors of a community.
- In 2023, Renville set up a broadband survey for community members.
Household Density
6.6
Number of Providers
19
As of 2023 · Source: MN DEED
Households with Device Access
statewide
statewide
statewide
statewide
statewide
Has Worked with Blandin Foundation
Yes
RS Fiber has worked with the Blandin Foundation.
Has Received MN Grant(s)
Yes
2024:
- County: Chippewa, Renville
Hanson Communications
Hanson – Chippewa Cty W
Grant: $2,081,494
Local Match: $2,544,150
Total Budget: $4,625,644
Hanson will build and operate a Fiber To The Premises (FTTP) network covering the unserved and underserved areas within Southwest Chippewa County. There are 283 total fiber passings in the project. This project comes in partnership with Chippewa County, who has committed $200,000 to the project. Over 68 businesses lacking a 100/20 mbps connection are included in the project area. Most businesses in the project area are related to agrobusiness, machinery, construction, transportation, services & consumer goods. For livestock operations, broadband is a necessity. Remote monitoring and alarm systems, critical for ensuring the health and safety of livestock, rely heavily on broadband connectivity. Additionally, the process of buying and selling livestock and equipment at online auctions is emerging in the online marketplace
MN State Grant awarded in 2021: Minnesota Valley Telephone Company (MVTC) – Rural Franklin Fiber Project – GRANT $226,800 This middle and last mile project will serve approximately 45 unserved locations in the City of Franklin and the townships of Sherman, Eden, Camp and Birch Cooley in Redwood, Renville and Brown counties.
2019 – Nuvera Communications, Inc. – Hutchinson W Project – GRANT $346,282
2019 – Midco (Midcontinent Communications) – Renville Project – GRANT $230,835
2016 – RENVILLE COUNTY HBC & RS FIBER – GRANT: $807,966
2015 – MVTV Wireless Middle Mile – Grant award: $808,080
2014 – R-S Fiber Cooperative, FTTH Project – Award: $1 million.