Utilities

The Northland has a wide mix of electricity providers. ALLETE manages the region’s investor-owned electric utilities,  Minnesota Power and Superior Water Light & Power. The region has six co-ops, including Arrowhead Cooperative, Cooperative Light & Power, East Central Energy, Lake Country Power, Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative, and North Itasca Electric Cooperative. There are also thirteen municipal electric providers.

In Duluth, Comfort Systems delivers natural gas to its customers. Five municipal natural gas providers, primarily on the Iron Range, also provide their communities with natural gas. The rest of the region is covered by Minnesota Energy Resources.

Duluth, Hibbing, and Virginia have steam.

Telecommunications networks are widespread, with broadband permeating all but the wilderness areas of the region. Fiber optics is the rule of thumb with three wireless carriers: AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon.

Electric

Northland Connection has data for Minnesota Power and Superior Water, Light & Power. The electrical co-ops and municipalities will provide data on demand, so feel free to give us a call and we’ll make arrangements for getting the data.

Source:  Nancy Norr, Regional Director, Economic Development, 218.355.3905, nnorr@mnpower.com; also Arik Forsman, Community Relations Specialist, 218.355.3303, aforsman@allete.com

Source: Nancy Norr, Regional Director, Economic Development, 218.355.3905, nnorr@mnpower.com; also Arik Forsman, Community Relations Specialist, 218.355.3303, aforsman@allete.com

Natural Gas

Northland Connection has data for the City of Duluth and Minnesota Energy Resources. All other communities make data available on demand, so feel free to give us a call and we’ll make arrangements for getting the data.

Eric Shaffer, chief engineer, (218) 730-5072, eshaffer@duluthmn.gov

Source: Pam Sarvela, Manager of External Relations, Minnesota Energy Resources, 218.878.2258, 218.393.2619 mobile

Steam

Northland Connection has data for the City of Duluth. We can obtain data for the City of Hibbing and City of Virginia by request.

Source: Jim Green, General Manager, Duluth Steam Plant: (218) 723-3601; jim.green@ever-greenenergy.com

Telecommunications

Broadband has taken hold throughout the Northland. Fiber optics are the primary source for high speed internet along with three primary wireless carriers: AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon.

Data Center Opportunities in the Northland

Northeast Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin offer an ideal location for data center expansion. With existing infrastructure and cool temperatures, the region is an attractive option for companies investing in additional data centers.

• Regional Overview
• Strategically Located Site Options

Broadband Expansion in Northern Minnesota

In 2016, the Minnesota State Legislature approved $35 million in funding for the Border-to-Border Broadband grant program. The grant will provide state resources to assist providers who invest in building infrastructure in underserved areas of the state.

• Broadband Grant Program
• Minnesota Broadband Service Map
• Interactive Provider Map and Database

Wastewater

Northland Connection has information for the City of Duluth. For the rest of the area, which includes more than 70 communities, we can provide data on demand. Feel free to give us a call.

Source: Eric Shaffer, chief engineer, 218.730.5072, eshaffer@duluthmn.gov Wastewater Treatment Data also came from Jack Ezell, manager, planning and technical services, WLSSD, 218.740.4785

Additional Notes: The Wastewater Treatment data came from Western Lake Superior Sanitary District with the exception of cost per $1,000 gallons and connection fee.

Water

Northland Connection has information for the City of Duluth. For the rest of the area, which includes more than 70 communities, we can provide data on demand. Feel free to give us a call.

Source: Eric Shaffer, chief engineer, 218.730.5072, eshaffer@duluthmn.gov