Pennington County
| Year | Rank | 100/20 Mbps |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #6 of 87 | 99.51% |
| 2023 | #7 of 87 | 99.53% |
| 2022 | #6 of 87 | 99.4% |
| 2021 | #10 of 87 | 98.19% |
| 2020 | #10 of 87 | 96.95% |
| 2019 | #11 of 87 | 96.18% |
| 2018 | #12 of 87 | 90.75% |
| 2017 | #77 of 87 | 9.63% |
Red dots represent unserved locations.
Wired (wireline) and wireless (fixed, non-mobile) served location percentage at various speeds.
Pennington County: Still on Top 7 List
Pennington County ranks 6 (up one place) for broadband access out of 87 counties. In 2018, Pennington went from 9 percent access to 90 percent with the help of state (border to border) and federal loan (USDA to Garden Valley). They have had steady improvement ever since, which is why they earn a green code.
- Over the years, Pennington County (or cities within) has not invested in matches for any successful MN Broadband grants.
- Pennington County will not benefit from a 2024 MN Broadband.
- Pennington County will not benefit from any line extension awards.
- Last years’ estimates indicated that it would cost $241,800 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, Pennington ranked 35 using Microsoft’s Digital Equity Tool, which looks at various factors of a community.
Household Density
9.0
Number of Providers
10
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 – Wikstrom Telephone – Wiktel NW MN Broadband Project – GRANT $1,151,526
2017 – Sjoberg’s Inc. – NW MN Rural Broadband – GRANT $307,088
2016 – CENTURYLINK THIEF RIVER MIDDLE MILE – GRANT: $1,324,400
2016 – GARDEN VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY RURAL THIEF RIVER FALLS EAST – GRANT: $2,027,035
There is a matrix of Minnesota broadband adoption projects.