Connectivity

Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)

The ACP is a federal benefit program that helps ensure households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more. The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands.

A household is eligible for the program if the household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if they are able to meet additional eligibility criteria.

Two Steps to Enroll:

  1. Go to GetInternet.gov (AccedeaIntervet.gov en español) to submit an application or print out a mail-in application.
  2. Contact your preferred participating provider to select a plan and have the discount applied to your bill.

Telecommuter Forward!

In September of 2022, Lake City was recognized by the Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development’s Office of Broadband Development as a telecommuter Forward! Community. This designation recognizes Lake City as a community that is committed to supporting telecommunity opportunities.

Reach out to Port Authority staff to learn more!

Telecommuting in Lake City

In October 2023, the Lake City Port Authority conducted a “Telecommuting Survey”, collecting data on remote work and commute times for residents of Lake City to better understand how people are getting to work and how trends have changed over the years. 147 people responded to the survey; 80 of these responses were non-telecommuters, while the remaining 67 telecommuted at least part of the time. The Port Authority is utilizing this data to explore, create and support programs and policies that expand accessibility to work, including broadband and internet access and unified transportation systems. Click below to view the survey results!

Non-Telecommuter Data

The largest occupational categories from non-telecommuting respondents were:

  • Educational Instruction and Library (13.8%)
  • Healthcare Practitioners and Technicians (12.5%)
  • Personal Care and Service (10%)
  • Production (8.8%)
  • Management (7.5%)
  • Food Preparation and Serving (7.5%)

Occupational Category Survey Results

The majority of non-telecommuting employees in Lake City work in the community – we know this because their commute time is 10 minutes or less. If they are not working in Lake City, they are working in the region – the second most popular commute time was between 20 – 30 minutes, meaning those employees are commuting to a surrounding community like Wabasha or Red Wing.

Commute Times Survey Results

The vast majority of non-telecommuters in Lake City drive by themselves to work.

Transportation Modes Survey Results

Telecommuter Data

The largest occupational categories from telecommuting respondents were:

  • Business and Financial Operations (17.9%)
  • Office and Administrative Support (14.9%)
  • Community and Social Services (10.4%)
  • Healthcare Practitioners and Technicians (10.4%)
  • Management (10.4%)
  • Sales and Related Operations (9.0%)
Telecommuter Occupational Category Chart

Telecommuters in Lake City are split on their frequency in working from home; 52.2% telecommute full-time, while 47.8% only telecommute part-time.Telecommuting Frequency Chart

The majority of telecommuters who live in Lake City work for an employer based outside of the community – we know this because on days telecommuters go into their offices, the two most popular commute times were between 40-50 minutes and one hour or more. This data suggests that telecommuters may work for companies based out of metro areas, such as the Twin Cities, Rochester or Eau Claire.

Telecommuter Commute Times Chart
Telecommuters in Lake City are split on having scheduling flexibility; 52.2% of telecommuters have a flexible work schedule, while 47.8% work a traditional schedule of Monday through Friday from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Telecommuter Schedule Flexibility Chart

The majority of Lake City telecommuters (74.6%) adopted a remote work schedule after 2019, most likely as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.Transition to Telework Timeframe Chart

Telecommuters view schedule flexibility as the primary benefit of the position; other benefits include pay and child care.
Telecommuting Benefits Chart

Minnesota Broadband Providers in Lake City (Released October 2021)

Satellite

Provider: Hiawatha Broadband Communications, Inc.
Website: https://www.hughes.com/
Max Advertised Download Speed: 25 Mbps
Max Advertised Upload Speed: 3 Mbps
Provider: ViaSat, Inc.
Website:
https://www.viasat.com/wildblue
Max Advertised Download Speed: 100 Mbps
Max Advertised Upload Speed: 3 Mbps

DSL

Provider: CenturyLink, Inc.
Website: https://www.centurylink.com/
Max Advertised Download Speed: 80 Mbps
Max Advertised Upload Speed: 10 Mbps

Fixed Wireless

Provider: Hiawatha Broadband Communications, Inc.
Website: http://www.hbci.com
Max Advertised Download Speed: 60 Mbps
Max Advertised Upload Speed: 15 Mbps
Provider: LTD Broadband LLC
Website: https://ltdbroadband.com/
Max Advertised Download Speed: 100 Mbps
Max Advertised Upload Speed: 100 Mbps

Fiber

Provider: Hiawatha Broadband Communications, Inc.
Website: http://www.hbci.com
Max Advertised Download Speed: 1000 Mbps
Max Advertised Upload Speed: 1000 Mbps

Mobile

Provider: AT&T Mobility LLC
Website: https://www.att.com/
Maximum Advertised Download Speed: N/A
Maximum Advertised Upload Speed: N/A
Provider: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
Website: https://www.t-mobile.com/
Max Advertised Download Speed: N/A
Max Advertised Upload Speed: N/A
Provider: Verizon Wireless
Website: https://www.verizon.com
Max Advertised Download Speed: N/A
Max Advertised Upload Speed: N/A

Cable

Provider: Mediacom Minnesota LLC
Website: https://www.mediacomcable.com/
Max Advertised Download Speed: 200 Mbps
Max Advertised Upload Speed: 20 Mbps

Traditional Media

Stay up-to-date with local and regional happenings through our community newspaper and radio station.

Local Newspaper

  • Lake City Graphic & Shopper
  • Contact Information
    • Email: graphic@lakecitygraphic.com
    • Phone: (651) 345-3316

Local Radio

• KLCH Lake Hits 95