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EDC Minutes <br /> October 15, 2019 <br /> Page 2 of 7 <br /> ----------------------------- <br /> Commissioner Lelwica asked if TDS would install fiber down Sluetter Road if it is <br /> paved. Commissioner Crochet stated if they are only going to be laying <br /> pavement on top of the road they would not budget to install fiber on that road at <br /> that time. He stated that if there is a development they would look at the <br /> opportunity to do a fiber build. Discussion ensued about the location of fiber <br /> throughout the territory and the possibility of fiber in new developments. <br /> Commissioner Crochet discussed customers wanting higher bandwidths but <br /> some of the customers realize they are not using the high bandwidths they are <br /> paying for. He discussed that 25 to 50 MB is usually more than enough for most <br /> customers. He stated the state requirements are 25 MB download and 3 MB <br /> upload speeds right now and he believes they are currently doing that in 90% of <br /> our territory. <br /> Mark Jurchen talked about part of the strategic plan for the Library, which is <br /> located on Rasmussen, is to eventually become a workforce center and <br /> communication and business center. He stated that fiber being available as we <br /> develop all of those plans is crucial. Commissioner Crochet said his plan with <br /> Rasmussen is he would like to get a fiber pon and if he could make it happen up <br /> to Main Street then from there they just branch out and hit so many more <br /> businesses. Chair Lindholm asked him to explain what he means by that <br /> because he thought there was fiber in the ground in that area. Commissioner <br /> Crochet said yes there is fiber in the ground right now but it is long haul fiber and <br /> it is not set up with splitters to hit individual locations. He said they have put <br /> splitters in and then plow individually drops to these locations in order to basically <br /> split that fiber. He discussed that he would like to do the same in the business <br /> park if the opportunity came up. <br /> Mark Jurchen asked if there is anything that the City through the Council or EDC <br /> can do to keep the pressure on. Commissioner Crochet said to keep pressuring <br /> him, keep shooting him emails and if we keep the pressure on him he can send <br /> that information up to the decision makers so they know that people want this. <br /> (Commissioner Lubke arrived at meeting.) <br /> Discussion ensued about the current speeds in the downtown area being about <br /> 15-25 MB and that each customer has an option to pay for a product to get <br /> higher speeds but it is costly. Chair Lindholm stated that is a place for us to <br /> pressure since it is the heart of our retail stores, coffee shops and restaurants. <br /> Mark Jurchen said the number one thing we are finding out is that the number <br /> one issue for people buying homes and businesses is the speed capability and <br /> his concern isn't what we have right now for businesses but what we could end <br /> up with or not end up with if we don't get that capability. Commissioner Crochet <br /> said that is a big driver. He said one of the big things that helped push us to get <br /> to where we are now is the EDC did a study a couple of years back with all the <br /> individual customers. Bob Perkins gave that information to him and they pulled <br /> up every customer to find out what speeds they're at, and that was very helpful <br />