Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative (MLEC) is happy to announce that MLEC Fiber Internet will become available for more customers. In partnership with Aitkin County, MLEC is bringing fast and reliable fiber Internet service to 565 homes. The project area includes the townships of Idun, Pliny, Rice River, Seavey, White Pine, Williams and the city of McGrath. We are excited to, once again, work with Consolidated Telecommunications Company (CTC) on the construction of this project and expand our MLEC Fiber Internet network.

The $4,823,654 grant is a part of the Small Cities Coronavirus Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG-CV). The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) awarded $34,656,956 in grants to 15 Minnesota cities and counties across the state. As part of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), Minnesota received a special allocation to address community needs to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of the funding will be used for broadband improvement projects. Other uses will include housing assistance, food shelf assistance, retrofitting buildings and commercial rehabilitation projects.

If MLEC Fiber is available where you live, there is still time to sign up! Please continue to read the Outlet, Facebook, and our website for more information and updates on our upcoming fiber projects. For more information on MLEC Fiber Internet call our office at 218-429-0433 or visit our website at www.mlecmn.net/fiber. Project area maps, Internet plans, and service agreements can all be found online.