News Release: 11/5/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Brian Bissonette

(218) 444-1127

Construction Done on Broadband Expansion in Hubbard County

Project Provides Access to All-Fiber Optic Internet to Over 220 Homes and Businesses

(BEMIDJI, MN — October 29, 2026) – Paul Bunyan Communications has announced that construction is done on its all-fiber optic broadband expansion in Hubbard County, making GigaZone® Internet & WiFi now available to over 220 homes and businesses.

This expansion took place in two areas of Hubbard County:

• Areas of Henrietta and Todd Townships south of Fishhook Lake

  • South of Fishhook Lake: Construction is finished and services are now available.

  • Todd Township: Construction is done, and fiber splicing is in progress. Services are expected to be available before the end of the year.

• Areas south and west of Long Lake in Hubbard Township

  • Construction is finished and services are now available.

“We’re thrilled this broadband expansion project has gone as planned,” said Chad Bullock, CEO of Paul Bunyan Communications. “Reliable internet is critical for work, education, healthcare, and staying connected, and we’re proud to start delivering that through our all-fiber optic network to more homes and businesses in Hubbard County.”

Those included in the expansion now have access to GigaZone® Internet and WiFi, offering speeds up to 10 Gig and the reliability needed to support today’s connected homes and businesses. Voice services, including unlimited local and long-distance calling, will also be available. Business customers will benefit from Managed IT Business Services such as VoIP, Disaster Backup and Recovery, and Network Management.

Residents and businesses in any of these expansion areas can sign up anytime. If it’s not possible to bring the network to the location before winter, crews will return to make that connection and install services in the spring.

To check availability or sign up for service, visit www.paulbunyan.net, call, or stop by the cooperative’s headquarters in Bemidji. There is no membership fee to join the cooperative; membership begins when subscribing to GigaZone® Internet or local phone service.

This project is made possible through a USDA ReConnect Round 3 grant award. The portion of construction built with grant dollars will be an estimated $500,000.

About Paul Bunyan Communications

Paul Bunyan Communications has the region’s largest all-fiber optic network with over 6,000 square miles throughout most of Beltrami County and portions of Aitkin, Cass, Hubbard, Itasca, Koochiching, and St. Louis Counties. The Cooperative provides homes and businesses GigaZone®, Broadband High-Speed Internet & WiFi Service with upload and download speeds up to 10 Gig, digital voice services, and Managed IT Business Services. The cooperative is also Northern Minnesota’s certified Apple Service Center and an authorized DIRECTV dealer.