Project Funding Announcement:

December 2024:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Red River Communications Receives $5.16 Million Federal Award to Expand High-Speed Internet in Clay County, Minnesota.

Abercrombie, ND (December 23, 2024) – Red River Rural Telephone Association, doing business as Red River Communications, is excited to announce a $5,166,742 investment from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Program. This funding will enable the deployment of a fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network, bringing high-speed internet access to underserved areas in Clay County, Minnesota.

This project will directly impact 482 residents, 17 businesses, 55 farms, and one educational facility across an 82.3-square-mile area. By delivering reliable, high-speed connectivity to 163 households, this initiative will strengthen the community’s digital infrastructure, fostering economic growth, improving access to educational resources, and enhancing the quality of life for local residents.

“This investment underscores the critical role broadband plays in rural communities,” said Tom Steinolfson, Red River Communications’ General Manager and CEO. “Reliable internet access is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. Thanks to this funding, Red River Communications can ensure that more people in Clay County have the connectivity they need to succeed in today’s digital age.”

The fiber network will deliver broadband speeds that meet or exceed modern demands, empowering residents and businesses to participate fully in the digital economy. Whether it’s for distance learning, telehealth, precision agriculture, or e-commerce, this investment will bridge the digital divide for rural Minnesotans.

The funding for this project was made possible through the USDA’s ReConnect Program, designed to provide financial support for broadband infrastructure in rural areas across the United States. U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) and U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) have both strongly advocated for rural broadband expansion, emphasizing its vital role in supporting education, healthcare, and economic development.

“Bringing high-speed internet to rural Minnesota is about ensuring everyone has the tools they need to thrive,” Senator Smith said in a statement celebrating recent broadband announcements in the state.

Red River Communications remains committed to enhancing connectivity and promoting equitable access to technology in the rural communities it serves. Construction on the project is expected to begin in the spring of 2026, with plans to bring the upgraded services online shortly after the mainline infrastructure is completed, pending any potential delays.

For more information about Red River Communications and its broadband initiatives, please visit www.redrivercomm.com or contact them at 701-553-8309.

About Red River Communications

Headquartered in Abercrombie, North Dakota, Red River Rural Telephone Association, dba Red River Communications, is a leading-edge broadband and telecommunications cooperative. Committed to delivering state-of-the-art technology to customers throughout the region, Red River Communications provides fiber broadband internet, phone, digital TV, wireless internet, and cellular services to over 4,500 customers across southeast North Dakota and west-central Minnesota. Red River Communications has deployed a fiber-optic network spanning nearly 3,000 miles and is expanding in several communities. This year, the cooperative celebrates its 71st anniversary of supporting the communities it calls home. Visit redrivercomm.com for additional information.

CONTACT INFO:

Kari Kleingartner

Marketing Specialist, Red River Communications

Main: 701-553- 8309 | Direct: 701-553-8225

[email protected]