Willmar City Council Votes to Invest $7.6 Million in Municipal Broadband

Jan. 22, 2026 – In a 5–3 vote, the Willmar City Council in Minnesota approved a $7.6 million construction bid to begin phase one of a municipal broadband deployment, marking a major step forward in the city’s effort to expand high-speed internet access.

After several years of planning, council members voted Tuesday to accept the lowest bid from NC3 of Clearbrook, Minnesota, to construct the first phase of the Willmar Connect project, a city-owned, open-access broadband network.

The city had estimated the phase would cost slightly more than $8 million, but NC3’s bid came in lower, at about $7.6 million, according to City Operations Director Kyle Box. Phase One of the project will serve businesses and residences west of First Street South, between U.S. Highway 12 and 19th Avenue.