City of Willmar not quite ready to launch Open Access Fiber project

(Willmar MN-) The Willmar City Council is not quite ready to take action to launch the Internet Connect Willmar Open Access Fiber project. Willmar Operations Director Kyle Box said the council had a work session on the project April 29 and discussed it again at its meeting Monday night, but said there was still a important document that needed to be finalized before being ready to vote on the bond. pay for the installation of fiber optic cable in all homes and businesses in the city…

…Box says that without the document, they cannot have confidential conversations with potential Internet service providers who would lease the lines…

…The current plan is for the city to install Maple Grove cable and fiber to operate the system in which Internet service providers would rent space on the network and charge customers for Internet service. Box says the board feels it needs more time to get the message out. Box anticipates the board will take it up again in 2 to 4 weeks. They would like to bring fiber to every home and business in the city in three phases through 2026…the industrial park and southwest Willmar would be the first. Box says startup delays will make the schedule very tight.