Arvig describes local fiber footprint, grants and line-extension options

Laura, representing Arvig, briefed the Sherburne County EDA on the company’s broadband footprint and grant-supported build strategy. She said Arvig has more than 18,000 miles of fiber in Minnesota and about 281 miles in Sherburne County, and that the company has completed multiple border-to-border grants ("six Minnesota border to border grants" and more than $2,000,000 received from the state for local projects).

Laura said Arvig has worked with the county and cities on industrial and residential builds since 2014 (Becker Industrial Park, Big Lake Industrial Park, and others) and that the company provides a range of services for business and residential customers. Arvig’s approach includes working with municipal partners, applying for state line-extension funding for high-cost last-mile connections, and avoiding overbuilding where other providers serve an area.

On federal funding, Laura said Arvig is selective about which BEAD/BEAD-like applications to pursue in Sherburne County because of a limited number of crews and equipment statewide; instead, she said, Arvig often directs customers to the state’s line-extension program to subsidize costly single-customer connections. Board members said residents appreciate lower price points relative to other providers and asked about potential franchise or service-area issues; Laura said Arvig coordinates with the county and other providers where possible.

What’s next: Arvig encouraged residents and developers to use the state line-extension program for marginal cases and to contact company staff for project triage. The EDA did not take formal action on broadband during the meeting.