The Windom City Council and Windom Telecom Commission, along with representatives from Federated Rural Electric & Broadband, held a public meeting Wednesday evening to allow Federated to present who they are, what they stand for, and why they are pursuing the potential purchase of WindomNet. Approximately 50 people were in attendance.
During the meeting, Federated representatives shared their vision and mission as they look to the future of broadband services in the region. Federated leaders explained that their mission is rooted in serving their member-owners by providing safe, reliable, and affordable electric service, while also expanding essential services such as high-speed broadband. The cooperative emphasized that both electricity and internet access are critical utilities in today’s world, particularly for rural communities.
Federated’s vision focuses on meeting and exceeding the expectations of the members and communities they serve. Leaders described broadband expansion as a natural extension of their long-standing role as a rural electric cooperative, helping support economic development, education, healthcare access, and overall quality of life. Officials noted their approach is community-driven, with decisions guided by member needs and long-term sustainability. By investing in modern infrastructure, Federated says it aims to ensure rural areas are not left behind as technology and connectivity continue to advance.
After presentations on customer service expectations, communication plans, and proposed residential and business rates, the meeting was opened to public questions.
One of the main questions raised was whether WindomNet is officially for sale. Mayor Hilary Mathis stated that, at this time, the council is exploring its options and has not made a formal decision to move forward with a sale or retain ownership, though a sale is being considered.
While attendees expressed generally positive views of Federated, several questions focused on the timing, process, and reasoning behind the council’s discussions. It was noted that WindomNet’s bonds are more than half paid off and that the transition from cable to streaming services is expected to show a profit rather than the losses previously associated with cable operations. Another concern raised was that WindomNet is one of the few income-generating entities owned by the city, and selling it could remove a future revenue source.
Two additional business representatives stated they had previously been interested in purchasing WindomNet but did not move forward because it was never clearly communicated that the utility was for sale.
Telecom Commission President Dirk Abraham stated that the potential sale is being approached thoughtfully and is not a quick or meaningless process.
The meeting featured strong opinions from the public on both sides of the issue, with many emphasizing the importance of maintaining local control. Council members also spoke passionately about why they are considering a sale, citing the need for significant future investments in state-of-the-art equipment, concerns over how much funding would be required to keep the system operating effectively, and the challenge of maintaining affordable rates for residents.
Overall, the meeting was well-led and informative, bringing several previously unaddressed issues into the discussion.
The Windom City Council will hold the first reading on the matter at its February 3rd meeting, with a second reading scheduled for February 10th. City Council meetings are open to the public and can also be viewed on the city’s YouTube channel.
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