Todd County is looking to form a municipal broadband service that could reach the entire county. County Administrator Nathan Burkett sent letters to cities, community leaders and other civic organizations asking to suport the countywide effort.

A municipal high speed broadband service means it would be owned by the county government, which would be offered to county residents.

The letter stated “Broadband is quickly becoming a necessary infrastructure.” It asked the county entities to sign a letter of support or resolution of support to get the process started.

The resolution states that the effort will be known as the Todd County Fiberband Initiative.

The Todd County effort is not related to the Staples broadband feasibility study currently going on, but the information from the study could be used by the Todd County Fiberband Initiative.

Staples Economic Development Director Jerel Nelsen said “It could fit into the city’s plans if the feasibility study comes back and the results say to go forward with that.” Nelsen said the study should be completed in about six weeks.