North Dakota Providers Break Ground on Government-Funded Fiber Broadband Builds

Five providers that offer service in eastern North Dakota broke ground simultaneously on fiber projects funded, in part, through state and federal broadband programs. The providers celebrated with a groundbreaking ceremony near Casselton (ND). The providers are BEK Communications Cooperative, Halstad Telephone Company, MLGC, Polar Communications and Red River Communications. All five companies have provided service in North Dakota for decades. The total investment in the projects will be $119 million, of which the providers will be investing $48.7 million. The state and local funding came through the US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) ReConnect program and North Dakota American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) programs. Small rural providers cover a large portion of North Dakota and already have invested heavily in fiber broadband. The state has the distinction of having gigabit service available to a higher percentage of the population than for any other state. Nevertheless, unserved and underserved locations remain in areas of the state where buildout costs are uneconomical. The government funding can help close the gap for those locations.