Cottage Grove Set to Become the First St. Paul Area Community with Gateway Fiber’s High-Speed Internet
In a landmark development for high-speed internet access, Gateway Fiber, a leading provider of fiber-optic internet services, has announced its expansion into Cottage Grove, Minnesota. This initiative follows the City of Cottage Grove’s competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process, in which Gateway Fiber was selected to design, construct, and deploy a cutting-edge fiber optic infrastructure across the community. With this move, Cottage Grove will become the first city in the St. Paul area to benefit from Gateway Fiber’s state-of-the-art, symmetrical fiber internet service.
“High-speed, reliable internet is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity,” said Cottage Grove Mayor Myron Bailey. “In 2025, residents need internet that can keep up with their daily lives, whether they’re working remotely, streaming entertainment, paying bills online, or running businesses. Unfortunately, Cottage Grove currently lacks access to the level of high-speed, symmetrical fiber internet that meets these demands. Residents deserve not just another option but a superior service that exceeds current offerings.”
Mayor Bailey emphasized the far-reaching benefits of high-speed internet, noting its critical role in supporting economic development, housing initiatives, and the quality of life for residents. “Quality internet isn’t just about convenience—it’s about opportunity. It supports remote work, online education, and business growth while enhancing our community’s appeal to new residents and developers.”
A Proven Partner for Cottage Grove
Gateway Fiber’s selection as the chosen provider stemmed from its comprehensive response to the city’s RFP, showcasing a proven track record of successful fiber deployments, transparent pricing models, and exceptional customer service. Unlike traditional internet providers, Gateway Fiber boasts industry-leading customer satisfaction scores, reflecting its dedication to delivering a seamless experience for users.
“The City of Cottage Grove is thrilled to partner with Gateway Fiber to bring high-speed broadband internet to thousands of residents over the next three years,” Mayor Bailey added. “Beyond residential connectivity, Gateway Fiber will also provide free public Wi-Fi in select city parks, further enhancing accessibility for all community members. Their success in other Twin Cities communities speaks for itself, and we’re confident this partnership will deliver outstanding results for Cottage Grove.”
Chris Surdo, CEO of Gateway Fiber, echoed the mayor’s enthusiasm. “We are proud to partner with Cottage Grove to bring our 100% fiber-optic network to the community. Our mission is simple: to provide faster, more reliable internet with straightforward pricing and unmatched customer support. With true fiber connectivity, residents and businesses will experience transformative benefits—whether it’s enabling seamless remote work, supporting online learning, or enhancing entertainment experiences like streaming and gaming.”
Construction Underway and Future Benefits
Construction on the new fiber-optic network is already underway, with Gateway Fiber crews collaborating closely with city officials to ensure a smooth and efficient rollout. Residents and businesses can expect regular updates on construction progress and will be notified when service becomes available in their neighborhoods.
Gateway Fiber’s expansion into Cottage Grove represents a significant step in the company’s broader mission to bridge the digital divide across the Twin Cities metro area and beyond. Recent launches in communities such as Shoreview, Plymouth, and Coon Rapids have already demonstrated the transformative impact of Gateway Fiber’s 100% fiber network. The company’s infrastructure delivers symmetrical multi-gig speeds, unmatched reliability, and the capacity to meet the growing digital demands of modern households and businesses.
Transformative Connectivity for All
For Cottage Grove residents, the introduction of Gateway Fiber’s services promises to address longstanding gaps in internet performance. Traditional internet options often fall short in providing the speed, consistency, and capacity needed for today’s digital lifestyles. Gateway Fiber’s symmetrical upload and download speeds ensure that activities like video conferencing, cloud storage, and large file transfers are seamless and frustration-free.
Businesses in Cottage Grove will also reap significant benefits. Reliable, high-speed internet is essential for operations ranging from e-commerce and customer service to data management and cybersecurity. By adopting Gateway Fiber’s services, local businesses can enhance productivity, improve customer experiences, and remain competitive in an increasingly digital marketplace.
Additionally, the inclusion of free public Wi-Fi in select city parks underscores Gateway Fiber’s commitment to fostering community-wide connectivity. This initiative ensures that all residents, regardless of their personal internet access, can enjoy the benefits of high-speed internet for work, learning, or leisure.
Bridging the Digital Divide
Gateway Fiber’s entry into Cottage Grove aligns with its overarching goal of addressing the digital divide—a challenge faced by many communities nationwide. As internet connectivity becomes increasingly vital for education, employment, healthcare, and social interaction, equitable access to high-quality internet is essential for fostering inclusive growth.
By expanding its footprint into Cottage Grove, Gateway Fiber is not only enhancing individual lives but also strengthening the community’s economic foundation. Improved internet infrastructure attracts new businesses, supports remote work opportunities, and positions Cottage Grove as a forward-thinking, tech-savvy city.
How to Get Involved
Residents and businesses eager to learn more about Gateway Fiber’s services or stay informed about construction updates can visit gatewayfiber.com. The website provides detailed information about available plans, pricing, and the benefits of fiber-optic internet. Interested parties can also sign up to receive notifications when service becomes available in their area.
A Brighter Future for Cottage Grove
The partnership between the City of Cottage Grove and Gateway Fiber marks a pivotal moment in the community’s technological evolution. By embracing state-of-the-art fiber-optic infrastructure, Cottage Grove is poised to unlock new opportunities for residents, businesses, and the broader community.
“As we look to the future, this investment in high-speed internet will serve as a cornerstone for growth and innovation,” said Mayor Bailey. “It’s about empowering our residents, supporting our businesses, and ensuring that Cottage Grove remains a vibrant, connected place to live and work.”
With Gateway Fiber’s arrival, Cottage Grove is taking a bold step toward a brighter, more connected future—one where high-speed internet transforms how people live, work, and thrive.
About Gateway Fiber
Gateway Fiber is on a mission to positively impact communities through a better internet. As data requirements for residences and businesses continue to expand, Gateway is creating a leading, national fiber-to-the-home platform to serve this critical unmet need. Gateway provides faster, more reliable internet with a simple pricing model and industry-leading customer service. In February, Gateway Fiber announced a strategic merger with E-Rate leader WANRack and its residential subsidiary, KWIKOM Communications. The merger creates a more powerful, scalable organization with enhanced growth opportunities for its employees, while expanding the combined organization’s offerings to meet the diverse internet needs of commercial, small and medium-sized businesses (SMB), and enterprise clients. For more information, visit gatewayfiber.com.
