The Willmar City Council approved a $7.6 million construction bid to begin phase one of the Willmar Connect broadband project, moving forward with development of a citywide, city-owned, open-access fiber network.
Phase one will construct broadband infrastructure serving businesses and residences west of First Street South, between U.S. Highway 12 and 19th Avenue. The city received the low bid from NC3 of Clearbrook, Minnesota, which came in below the city’s cost estimate of slightly more than $8 million for the phase.
The city has contracted Hometown Fiber to support network design, phased deployment, and ongoing network operations. The open-access network will allow multiple internet service providers to deliver service over the city-owned infrastructure.
The Willmar Connect project includes three planned construction phases. Phase two will extend service to the southern and eastern portions of the city, followed by a northern buildout in phase three.
Once operational, the network will offer symmetrical broadband service to residential and business customers.