KEYC - Mankato News, Weather, Sports - - RS Fiber Project On Hold For Bonding Council Approval

RS Fiber Project On Hold For Bonding Council Approval

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GAYLORD, Minn. -

The work session was not about if the project was something the counties wanted, the question at hand was if the counties could legally provide the RS Fiber. It's an estimated 70 million dollar publicly financed, privately managed projected that would provide high speed Internet and state–of the–art telephone and television service. Despite residents requests for the commission to move forward with approval the commissioners didn't feel comfortable doing so without first getting approval from legal council. Sibley County Economic Development Director Tim Dolan says, "I think it has merit I think it certainly has legal merit to do it that way. You know I think there are selfish reasons why people might want to see the project move forward quicker, but you know we're not going to be able to break ground on it until spring next year. So, I'm thinking there maybe time there still and we'll go ahead. You know, I'm an optimist."

The commission hopes to find a bonding council soon that will provide a legal opinion. Commissioners say it should be clear they all want the project to succeed. However, figuring out if the counties can legally do it is still to be determined.