Renville County
| Year | Rank | 100/20 Mbps |
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
Renville County: Feels Like Being Stuck
Renville County ranks 70 (down 3) for broadband access out of 87 counties. They have 72.23 percent coverage to broadband of 100 Mbps down and 20 up. They have 1818 households without access to broadband at that speed. Estimates indicate that it will cost $16 million to get to ubiquitous broadband in the county.
Renville County has been working on better broadband for more than 10 years, but they have stayed stagnant at 70 percent coverage to broadband of 100 Mbps down and 20 up since 2021.
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 (70.18 percent coverage) and wireline with fixed wireless (96.42 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.
In 2023, Renville set up a broadband survey for community members. Actions like that will help them prepare for federal (BEAD) funding once it is available. Unfortunately until they can engage provider activity, they retail their red ranking.
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
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.