REGIONAL- Paul Bunyan Communications (PBC) confirmed Monday that construction will begin this summer to extend its all-fiber optic GigaZone broadband network to more than 1,600 additional locations across St. Louis County, with two of the expansion zones landing squarely in the North Country.
One project will bring service to over 300 locations in and around Alango, Angora, and Owens townships, near Cook. A second project will reach over 645 homes and businesses south and east of Britt, in Pike, Sandy, and Wuori townships.
“These communities have waited a long time for reliable internet,” said Chad Bullock, CEO and General Manager of PBC. “In today’s world, internet access is not a luxury, it is a necessity.”
“This will be a game changer for these communities,” said Leo Anderson, Chief Technology Officer. “Without true high-speed internet, daily tasks – whether for work, school, or business – become incredibly challenging. Our all-fiber network delivers fast, reliable service.”
The Britt-area buildout is part of a federally supported initiative, funded through the USDA ReConnect 3 Grant Program, while the Alango-area project is being driven by Minnesota’s Low-Density Population Grant Program.
Combined, these additional projects will bring gigabit-speed service to some of the region’s most rural and underserved communities. Services are expected to go live before winter.
Funding breakdown
The Alango-area project, which includes neighboring Angora and Owens townships, comes with a price tag of just over $7.5 million, with most of the funding—about $5.6 million—coming from the state. PBC is contributing $1.88 million, with Angora Township providing a local share of $33,104. The state and PBC funding also include a buildout for 550 locations in Balkan Township.
The Britt-area project, one of the largest in this year’s buildout, is estimated at $13.6 million, with more than $10.1 million coming from federal USDA funds. Paul Bunyan is investing $3.38 million, and Wuori Township is contributing $16,026. Areas of French Township near Side Lake, Perch Lake, and Luna Lake, and Bearville Township in Itasca County will also receive service through the overall project funding.
Signing up for service
Once service becomes available, residents in the expansion zones will have access to Paul Bunyan’s full suite of offerings, including GigaZone internet with speeds up to 10 Gig and unlimited local and long-distance voice service.
There is no membership fee to join the cooperative— customers become members by subscribing to either internet or local phone service.
Those interested in signing up are encouraged to do so early, either online, by phone, or in person at Paul Bunyan’s Grand Rapids Technology Center. To see if an address is within a service area, visit www.gigazone.com.
Paul Bunyan Communications operates the region’s largest all-fiber network, covering over 5,500 square miles across parts of Beltrami, Aitkin, Cass, Hubbard, Itasca, Koochiching, and St. Louis counties.