Winona County
| Year | Rank | 100/20 Mbps |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #38 of 87 | 89.19% |
| 2023 | #39 of 87 | 85.33% |
| 2022 | #30 of 87 | 85.62% |
| 2021 | #28 of 87 | 87.59% |
| 2020 | #24 of 87 | 87.47% |
| 2019 | #24 of 87 | 86.43% |
| 2018 | #15 of 87 | 86.31% |
| 2017 | #17 of 87 | 81.17% |
Red dots represent unserved locations.
Wired (wireline) and wireless (fixed, non-mobile) served location percentage at various speeds.
Winona County: Rank Goes From Yellow to Green
Winona County ranks 38 (up one point) for broadband access out of 87 counties. They have seen some growth in broadband in the last year. They will benefit from a $3.2 million MN State Broadband grant and 35 Line Extension grants. Also, HBC has announced fiber expansion plans in the area that they say will bring service to more than 5,000 locations.
- Over the years, Winona County (or cities within) has not invested in matches for any successful MN Broadband grants.
- Winona County will benefit from a 2024 $3.1 million MN Broadband grant (Round 10) award that will serve 396 locations.
- Winona County will benefit from 35 line extension awards (Rounds 1 and 2), which extend broadband to individual locations.
- Last years’ estimates indicated that it would cost $23 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, Winona ranked 20 using Microsoft’s Digital Equity Tool, which looks at various factors of a community.
- Winona County has been focused on broadband for years; they were part of the Minnesota Intelligent Rural Communities (MIRC) starting in 2010, a Blandin-led and federal (ARRA) funded broadband adoption project.
- In 2022, HBC announced 10 Gig residential service in the City of Winona. Two months later they announced expansion in rural parts of the county.
Household Density
26.8
Number of Providers
16
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
2024:
- County: Fillmore, Olmsted, Winona
MiEnergy Cooperative South West Fremont
Grant: $3,164,721
Local Match: $4,747,086
Total Budget: $7,911,807
The MiEnergy Cooperative project will see built Fiber to the Premise (FTTP) in the rural areas Southwest of Fremont, Minnesota located primarily in Winona and Filmore Counties. This project will provide services to 396 addresses, including 342 unserved and 54 underserved, and bridge the digital divide by offering residents access to essential services such as telemedicine, online education, and remote work opportunities. Funding partner Mabel Cooperative Telephone Company is contributing $2,373,543.
2022 – Ace Telephone Association, Inc., $3,218,201.00
MN State Grant awarded in 2021: AcenTek – Rural Peterson Exchange FTTH – GRANT $1,492,096 This last mile project will serve 214 unserved households, 18 unserved businesses, 88 unserved farms, and two unserved community anchor institutions as well as 47 underserved households and five underserved businesses in areas of Fillmore and Winona counties.
2019 – AcenTek – Rural Houston Exchange FTTH – GRANT $2,895,318
2016 – WINONA COUNTY PICKWICK AREA – GRANT: $416,640
2015 – Hiawatha Broadband Communications – Winona County Whitewater Area – Grant Award: $247,000
2015 – Winona County Hiawatha Broadband Communications – Cedar Valley Area – Grant award: $314,450
Government Districts
U.S. Congress: CD 7, CD 1
MN Senate: 20, 26
MN House: 20B, 26A