One of the many steps to the "Broadband for All" initiative which recently garnered Waseca County national recognition was to encourage members of the public to find out more about the process of installing the necessary fiber optic cable. Here, representatives from communications company Bevcomm gathered for a photo during a session this April.
Waseca broadband initiative receives national award
Thu, 07/10/2025 - 3:15am
The National Association of Counties (NACo) has recognized Waseca County’s “Broadband for All” initiative as being among the most successful in the nation in the category of Community and Economic Development in 2025.
Under the initiative, about 300 miles of fiber optic cable are being laid and 700 rural homes, farms and businesses in eight Waseca County townships will acquire the option of connecting to gig-speed internet across the next 15 months, as service is established in their areas. The project was made possible by applying for and receiving $7.5 million in grants through the state office of broadband development.
“I really am so very very proud of this work,” comments Waseca County commissioner De Malterer. “It was such a joy to watch it all come together.”
“The Achievement Awards shine a spotlight on the hard work and innovation happening in county governments across the nation,” said NACo President James Gore. “This year’s winners highlight the dedication and creativity of county leaders to building thriving communities and providing the best possible services to our residents.”
“Lack of rural broadband is a national problem. When one county is able to make such amazing progress, it gets people’s attention,” observes Bill Eckles, chief executive officer for Bevcomm, the Blue Earth based company which worked with Waseca County leaders throughout a number of lengthy and sometimes frustrating grant application rounds. Eckles credits the county’s unusual success to a number of factors: “In Waseca County, your leadership took an active role in helping to come up with solutions to get more and better broadband access,” he said. The fact that the county had planned in advance and set aside specified funds to support the initiative was important, as was the work of American Connection Corps advisor Steve Kraus.
Eckles reports work to create the necessary underground infrastructure for the project is advancing ahead of schedule. A needed “hut” should be in place within the next 30 to 60 days; service will begin coming available in sections as work in each area is completed. He predicts some locations will have service beginning sometime this fall; others will have connections within a year.