The Proposed $34 Million City-Owned Internet Network is WRONG for Willmar

The Willmar City Council is considering spending $34 Million to build a wasteful internet network that is duplicative to the services already available to residents. But across Minnesota, other communities are standing up against these types of risky government-owned internet networks.

Why?

Because this “solution” has a history of failure, often leaving taxpayers to foot the bill and diverting resources away from crucial community problems:

Lake County’s government-owned internet network failed, forcing the County to sell it at a $40 MILLION loss.
In Monticello, their struggling government-owned internet project is running a six-figure operational deficit, despite being kept afloat by funds from the city’s ONLY profitable business (a liquor store) and the city’s street light budget.

Willmar families are already facing an expected 20% property tax increase in 2024-2025. They cannot afford to be left with $34 MILLION in debt if this risky internet project fails. Instead, we need leaders to focus taxpayer funding on the REAL issues facing the City – including public education and road infrastructure:

Willmar’s school district was FORCED to make millions of dollars in funding cuts, with a possibility of further cuts in the future.
The county has ALREADY cut back on necessary improvements to roads because of rising prices.

Willmar’s proposed “partner” makes this project even riskier, as they have minimal experience with projects of this magnitude. It has even been referred to it as a “proof of concept” – making it likely that Willmar ends up like other communities with failed government-owned internet networks. It is not fair for Willmar families and their pocketbooks to be used as a test subject.

It’s time to stop this risky $34 Million project in Willmar.

Local leaders should leave the broadband business to private companies with their own resources and expertise. Make your voice heard! Call City Council at (320) 235-4913 or click here to find your Ward’s representative.