Cottonwood County
| Year | Rank | 100/20 Mbps |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | #76 of 87 | 67.15% |
| 2022 | #72 of 87 | 67.02% |
| 2021 | #66 of 87 | 67.2% |
| 2020 | #63 of 87 | 66.67% |
| 2019 | #59 of 87 | 66.67% |
| 2018 | #38 of 87 | 66.34% |
| 2017 | #73 of 87 | 19.24% |
Cottonwood County: Stuck With Two Thirds Served
Cottonwood County ranks 76 (down 4) for broadband access out of 87 counties. Cottonwood County has 67.15 percent coverage to broadband of 100 Mbps down and 20 up since 2018. They have 1587 households without access to broadband at that speed. Estimates indicate that it will cost $14.8 million to get to ubiquitous broadband in the county.
Windom, the county seat of Cottonwood County, has had an enviable municipal broadband network since 2004. Folks in Windom are well served. But outside of Windom, connections are mixed.
Broadband in Cottonwood has been stagnant since 2018. Cottonwood County maintains their red code because they have a big gap to close to get to their goal and they have been stuck in the same place since 2018.
Household Density
7.4
Number of Providers
22
As of 2023 · Source: MN DEED
Households with Device Access
statewide
statewide
statewide
statewide
statewide
Has Worked with Blandin Foundation
Yes
See MIRC project matrix for more details on Windom’s broadband adoption efforts https://blandinfoundation.org/content/uploads/vy/DC_Project_Matrix_Nov_2012.pdf
Has Received MN Grant(s)
Yes
2016 – WOODSTOCK TELEPHONE WESTBROOK – GRANT: $412,391
2015 – MVTV Wireless Middle Mile – Grant award: $808,080
2010 – ARRA funding for City of Windom – SWMBG will build FTTP (Fiber to the Premise) infrastructure to eight rural communities in Southwestern Minnesota.