The Lismore Cooperative Telephone Company received a Border to Border Broadband Development Grant for Nobles County in the amount of $2,944,578 with a match of funds by Lismore Cooperative. The purpose of the grant is to make it possible for more Minnesotans to have access to reliable, affordable high-speed internet.
Lismore Cooperative will lay 500 miles in new wireless coverage and install over 82 miles of fiber optic cable. The goal for Lismore Cooperative is that the hybrid fiber and wireless network will make it possible for everyone in Nobles County to have access to high speed internet. The Department of Employment and Economic Development estimates this project will serve 469 households, 1,060 businesses and 6 community anchor institutions such as schools, libraries, medical providers and public safety entities across Nobles County who currently do not have broadband access.
Lismore Cooperative broke ground on this project on Wednesday, July 19, 2017. According to the Cooperative they have the axis of the fiber laid down by next year but when customers will have full access to the wireless network and internet is still up in the air.
