Paul Bunyan Communications will be expanding its all-fiber optic network the GigaZone®, to over 2,000 more locations in St. Louis County this year with five different projects.
Areas of Angora, Alango, and Owens Townships in St Louis County
Includes over 300 locations in areas south of the city of Cook.
Areas of Balkan Township in St. Louis County
Includes over 550 locations north of the city of Chisholm in areas of Balkan Township.
These two projects are made possible through the Low-Density Population Grant Program through the state of Minnesota. This project is estimated to cost $7,526,055, with the State of Minnesota’s Low-Population Density Program grant contributing $5,569,281. Paul Bunyan Communications investing $1,881,513, Angora Township $33,104, and Balkan Township $42,157.
Areas of Pike, Sandy, and Wuori Townships
Includes over 645 locations. These areas are primarily South and East of Britt
Areas of French Township in St. Louis County and Bearville(S) Township in Itasca County
Includes over 200 locations East and North of Side Lake including Perch Lake, Luna Lake, and Beatrice Lake.
These two projects are made possible through the USDA ReConnect 3 Grant Program. This project is estimated to cost $13,588,555 with the USDA grant contributing $10,191,416. Paul Bunyan Communications investing $3,381,112, and Wuori Township contributing $16,026.
Areas of Great Scott Township and unorganized township north of Great Scott Township in St Louis County
This expansion includes over 350 locations in areas of Great Scott Township and an unorganized township north of Great Scott. This includes Dark Lake, Clear Lake, Lake Fourteen, and Lake Leander.
Construction will take place over the summer/fall with services expected to be available by winter. Anyone interested in getting connected to the all-fiber optic broadband network should sign up for service now. That can be done online, over the phone, or in person at our Grand Rapids Customer Service & Technology Center. To check to see if a specific location is within an expansion area, visit www.gigazone.com
The cooperative’s services will become available once the network is operational including GigaZone™ Internet with speeds of up to 10 Gig and low cost unlimited local and long distance GigaZone™ voice telephone service. There is no membership fee to join Paul Bunyan Communications, membership is gained by subscribing to local phone service or GigaZone™ Internet service.