April 22, 2026

Midco is making a $43 million investment to complete its multiyear network upgrade in South Dakota.

Known as Fiber Forward, it was launched in 2021 as a commitment to bring upgraded fiber connectivity to more than 300,000 homes and businesses statewide.

“Today, we are thrilled to preview the next phase of our network evolution in the state,” president and chief operating officer Ben Dold said in a statement.

“This $43 million investment in fiber network upgrades, including more than $20 million in the Sioux Falls area, will bring blazing-fast symmetrical speeds, low latency, unmatched reliability and rock-solid security to more homes and businesses across South Dakota.”

Fiber upgrades already have been delivered to 100,000 homes and businesses in South Dakota, including 52,500 sites in Sioux Falls, Harrisburg and Tea.

Midco’s 2026-28 investment will fund 4 gigabits per second download and 1 GBps upload internet speeds for over 63,000 homes and businesses in Sioux Falls over the next three years. More than $1.3 million will upgrade approximately 3,800 locations in Tea and 3,900 locations in Harrisburg.

This brings Midco’s total Fiber Forward investment in South Dakota to more than $160 million. According to Midco, planned upgrades will deliver:

• Faster, more reliable internet speeds to support work from home, distance learning, telehealth and advanced cloud applications.
• Increased network capacity to keep pace with rapid population growth and business expansion in the region.
• Enhanced service for local organizations, including schools, hospitals and public safety agencies that increasingly depend on strong digital infrastructure.
• A future-proof fiber network designed to support multigigabit speeds and emerging technologies such as smart-city applications and next-generation wireless services.

“Investments in high-speed broadband strengthen South Dakota’s economy by supporting business growth, innovation and quality of life,” said Bill Even, commissioner of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. “Midco’s continued commitment ensures communities have the reliable infrastructure needed to compete and grow.”

The additional $20 million investment in Sioux Falls will support the community’s growth, which includes additional demand for technology, Midco said.

“Midco has long been a valued corporate partner to Sioux Falls, and its continued commitment to expanding next-generation connectivity strengthens the foundation on which our community grows and thrives,” Mayor Paul TenHaken said.

“The Fiber Forward initiative plays a critical role in supporting the industries that drive our region, from health care and finance to education, manufacturing and technology. This investment helps ensure Sioux Falls remains competitive, resilient and well-positioned for future opportunities.”