Janesville approves first reading for Midco agreement

After the City Council in Janesville heard from Government-Relations Representative Manager Ellie Burrows from Midco about construction of a fiber network, the council accepted and approved the first reading for franchise agreement with the city. The fiber network would offer cable television services, internet, landline and cell phone services after its construction which would begin in Spring of 2026 and end at the end of the year.

 

Midco is based out of Sioux Falls and provides services in wide areas of South Dakota, North Dakota, and Minnesota, and limited areas in Wisconsin and Kansas. City Attorney Jason Moran stated he has worked with Midco in some other area communities.

 

"By and large, I would say you guys do a good job,” Moran commented. “Your speeds, from what I’m hearing, are top notch. You got more and more people streaming as opposed to your traditional cable.”

 

Moran pointed out to council members the terms of the proposed agreement would provide services to city buildings at no cost.

 

Midco project construction manager Ryan Barr estimated installing main underground infrastructure in the city would take about three months. Once it was in place, providing individual connections to properties which wish to purchase the company’s services would be handled by a local team.

 

Council member Ivan Maas expressed concerns about whether the underground installation would interfere with wires or pipes already in place. 

 

Barr assured the council Midco checks for any utility lines prior to placing its lines. Saying “communication is key,” Burrows said, “We know that installing fiber can be a slightly disruptive process and so we try to provide any sort of information that you would like to put on your website, social media, city newsletters, things like that.”

 

Burrow stated door tags will be used to inform property owners when work is done in their area; the tags provide contact information that can be used if people have concerns. 

 

Since Waseca County Commissioner De Malterer was present at the meeting and Arnoldt noted she had worked with Midco before, he asked if she had any input. Malterer responded that, given how important internet access has become, she welcomes any conversation which helps provide it to households that are currently unserved. She suggested it would be helpful if Midco would be willing to expand outside city limits. “I’m looking forward to the partnership,” she said.

 

Katelynn Kratz, a contract attorney for the city of Janesville through Community and Economic Development Association (CEDA), provided an Economic Development Administration (EDA) report which included an update on city-owned property at 109 North Main Street.

 

“We have sent out a Request for Proposal (RFP) for fixing the walls and have heard no response,” Kratz stated. “So we are at a standstill.”

 

Arnoldt interjected that he had been in contact with an interested party and expects a bid will be received.

 

“Oh great,” Kratz responded. “We can’t really do anything with it until we have a proposal.”

She explained further that, in July, an application for $50,000 for the T-Mobile Hometown grant was submitted but the city was not awarded.

 

“We have discussed a plan of action if we want to apply again,” Kratz said. “Future use of this property has not been decided on, but a gathering place seems to be the general consensus.”

 

In other matters, Kratz said Dave Schmidt provided the city EDA with a drafted Business Challenge policy that has implemented in multiple CEDA communities, including Jackson and Mapleton. Essentially, it was a phased competition for business owners who are seeking to expand or entrepreneurs who are looking to open a business. She added that it remains open to anyone in the region who wants to apply.

 

“Both communities saw success from this program and multiple businesses opened in their business district,” Kratz stated. “Even some who didn’t win the challenge opened their businesses anyway due to the tools they learned from the tools they learned in participating in the program.”

 

She said that Waseca County EDA approved $10,000 to put towards the prize package and the Waseca Chamber of Commerce agreed to assist with the marketing. She said she herself applied to the SMIF Economic Development Grant for funding to put towards marketing the program in the region and award decisions will be announced within the next month.

 

“We hope to launch the program in early 2026,” Kratz added.

 

In other news, Amy Schaefer and Macey Becker from Blue Earth Rural Entrepreneurial Venture (REV) group told council members of their desire to hold a meeting offering free technical assistance, and even a free lunch, to area business owners. The program was made possible through a grant from GreenSeam and Minnesota State University in Mankato. Unfortunately, Kratz reported the attendance as being low and so the hosts have offered it virtually instead and provided a personal link via email.

 

In other matters, Kratz said the Storefront Enhancement Program received 11 applications and provided funding to ten applications which involved exterior projects. It increased the total available funding from $10,000 to $20,000.

 

The council approved the purchase of a new $7,000 spreader to replace the old one on the Prairie Ridge Golf course. The council adjourned at 7:42 p.m.