Washington County

Washington County: Nearly There With a Grant in Process

Washington County ranks 16 for broadband access out of 87 counties. They have hovered from 97.09 percent coverage to broadband of 100 Mbps down and 20 up. They have 2404 households without access to broadband at that speed. Estimates indicate that it will cost $22.4 million to get to ubiquitous broadband in the county.

Washington County in part of the 7-metro county region. It has some suburban areas and some rural areas. So, some areas attract providers while other areas need incentive. They have been stalled for many years now and there seems to be little engagement outside of Scandia and that is how their code has been escalated from green to yellow.

In December 2022, MidContinent received $975,131 in Border to Border funding to bring gigabit broadband service to 1,075 households, businesses and farms in Grant, Hugo, and Stillwater. In 2023, MidCo received $1.6 million to serve 575 households, businesses, farms and community anchor institutions in May Township. Comcast has three applications in to the latest (still open) round of Border to Border funding; results should be available in early 2024.

In 2023, Scandia started working on a 5-year broadband plan.

With an increase in coverage and ongoing provider attention, Washington has shifted from yellow to green ranking.