U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Minnesota State Director Colleen Landkamer announced that the Department is providing $16.1 million to bring high-speed internet access to people living and working across rural Minnesota. Today’s investments provide a historic $65 billion to expand reliable, affordable, high-speed internet to all communities across the U.S.
Mille Lacs Energy Cooperate received a $3,788,680 Rural Development investment to deploy a fiber-to-the-home network to connect 473 people, 15 farms, and 9 businesses to high-speed internet in Aitkin and Crow Wing counties in Minnesota. Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative will make high-speed internet affordable by participating in the FCC's Affordable Connectivity Program. MLEC Fiber is the fastest and most reliable Internet available in our area. We are excited to, once again, partner with Consolidated Telecommunications Company (CTC) on the construction of this project and expand our MLEC Fiber Internet network.
Construction is expected to begin in late 2023 and continue into 2024.
Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative is always searching and applying for grant opportunities to bring our members fast, reliable, and local Internet service. Residents in these project areas will have expanded educational, economic, and healthcare opportunities. Please continue to read the Outlet, Facebook, and our website for more information and updates on our upcoming fiber projects.
For more information on MLEC Fiber Internet call our office at (218) 429-0433 or visit our Fiber page. Project area maps, Internet plans, and service agreements can all be found online.
MLEC is a not-for-profit, electric distribution cooperative owned by the members we serve. We provide service to over 13,000 members in parts of Aitkin, Crow Wing, and Mille Lacs counties. Our headquarters is located at 36559 US Highway 169, 1 mile east of Aitkin, MN.