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Comparing the Public Investment and Economic Benefits we can see clearly in three counties that the return on public investment is almost immediate. In Beltrami, Crow Wing and Goodhue Counties the annual collective economic benefit for households is more than the public sector broadband network investment – by a considerable amount. This is true, in part, because the local provider invested their own funds for the broadband network, so less public funding was involved. These counties also have considerably higher population than the other two so the value (when calculated by households) is inherently higher.

In Sibley County, the annual economic benefit is just under the investment, so it will take just over one year for citizens to see a return on investment. Lake County is in a different position; there are fewer homes and the terrain is difficult. Yet even in this case, Lake County should see the economic benefit surpass public investment in just over six years.

What factors influence those impacts?

Even in this small sampling we can see that some of the factors that are most important to making broadband work – population size (or population density) and an engaged provider – are out of the control of the community. But Lake and Sibley counties have proven that it is possible to make it happen without those things. In both cases, there were two factors that made broadband possible – tenacious leaders and public/community investment. In Sibley County, their community vision helped to attract a committed provider partner that has been a key asset to the project’s success.

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For Lake County, the opportunity to apply for federal funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment act (ARRA) stimulated interest and action. County Commissions had the courage to move forward despite the risk. As detailed in the report, their path has been bumpy, but the Commissioners stand by their decision. Their vision, leadership and tenacity have been key to getting the network built. The community benefits will come. This is true in most hard-to-serve rural places: local leadership matters. Most communities will look to outside parties for expertise on the technical choices involved, but local community champions are needed to drive the vision and follow through.

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Sibley County has a slightly different story, although like Lake County they have been at this for a long time. This report details the story of how initially the counties and towns were going to work together to find a way to build broadband for the whole community. When that fell through the citizens, stepped up to create a cooperative. Many tireless leaders stepped forward to drive this approach and build the momentum needed to move forward with public funding through $13.7 million Generally Obligated Tax Abatement Bond (between Sibley and Renville Counties).