In December 2022, the City of Cloquet, in partnership with Consolidated Telephone Company (CTC), announced a project for faster internet. They secured grant funding from the Border-to-Border Broadband program, which allowed them to prepare for the groundbreaking efforts in August. The program is administered by the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)’s Office of Broadband Development.

The $4.8 million grant supports the “CTC Woods to Waters Broadband Initiative”. This is a “last mile project” designed to deliver fiber-to-the-premise service with symmetrical 1 gigabit speeds to underserved areas in rural central and northeastern Minnesota.

The network will service 246 homes includes 22 miles of mainline fiber and 11 miles of drop fiber. Although the estimated total project cost is $1.8 million.

Steve Gilbert, the CTC’s Director of Outside Plant, says the overall project has been very positive.

“CTC we’re kind of growing all over the state a little bit. Internet is kind of the new big deal, right? You kind of need internet these days to do anything. So it’s been accepted very well and people love the service once they get it. “

Construction is underway and is expected to be completed by fall. While splicing will take place this fall and winter installations are planned to begin in late winter or early spring.

“We’re incredibly excited about this partnership. This project will be instrumental for families and businesses as well as for future economic growth in these communities,” said Joe Buttweiler, Chief Strategy Officer. “We look forward to providing everyone with fast, reliable internet and top-notch local customer service for years to come.”

For more information about CTC bringing fiber internet to Cloquet you can read more here. Also for other stories happening in Cloquet you can read more here.