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It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always

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Home Care In Cologne, MN

Home Care Cologne, MN

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Römischer Abwasserkanal gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Cologne, MN is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

In-Home Care Cologne, MN

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

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“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care comes in to help my”

I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care comes in to help my dad a shower at night. When the guy came out to interview, he was really good and helpful, but it was just hard to find someone to help with dad been a little bit bigger and heavier. They like the person that they had come out a couple of times. The caregiver is good.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care comes in to help my dad a shower at night. When the guy came out to interview, he was really good and helpful, but it was just hard to find someone to help with dad been a little bit bigger and heavier. They like the person that they had come out a couple of times. The caregiver is good.”

Gloria285054

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Cologne, MN?

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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

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At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

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Senior Care Cologne, MN

Types of Elderly Care in Cologne, MN

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming
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Respite Care Cologne, MN
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
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Caregivers Cologne, MN
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Hiroshima-Nagasaki-Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
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Home Care Cologne, MN
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Ox & Klee or visit Hahnentor, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

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In-Home Care Cologne, MN

Benefits of Home Care in Cologne, MN

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Cologne, MN, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

Elderly Care Cologne, MN

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your MN's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
Senior Care Cologne, MN

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Cologne, MN understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.

Respite Care Cologne, MN

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
Caregivers Cologne, MN

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

  • Anne Frank und Paul Schneider Haus
  • Seniorenhaus Rosenpark
  • IdeaCare
  • Gut Pisdorhof
  • Angelika Thum-Lutz
  • MATERNUS ServiceWohnen Köln-Rodenkirchen
Home Care Cologne, MN

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

In-Home Care Cologne, MN

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Cologne, MN 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

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Latest News in Cologne, MN

The Deadliest Intersection In Minnesota

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We often hear about car crashes taking place at intersections due to reckless driving, but what about crashes that continuously take place at the same intersection? What is it that makes these intersections so unsafe that multiple people have lost their lives?

According to a list compiled by The Fang Law Firm, the deadliest intersection in all of Minnesota can be found at US-212 & S Paul St. in Cologne. 5 fatal crashes have occurred at this intersection.

Here is what The Fang Law Firm had to say about compiling the data to discover the deadliest intersections across the country:

"In order to understand the full scope of the issue, we worked with 1Point21 Interactive to examine 20 years of fatal crash data from the NHTSA. From 2000 through 2019, there were 159,394 fatal crashes designated as intersection-related. However, not all intersections are created equal and we found that it was extremely rare for multiple fatal crashes to occur at a single crossing. As a result of our analysis, we determined that any intersection where at least three fatal crashes occurred should be considered a deadly intersection. A total of 1,828 intersections in the U.S. fit this criterion. We observed that deadly intersections are most likely to be at the crossing of a secondary road (a highway) and a local road, disproportionately located in a rural area, and very rare – only .01 percent of all intersections."

For a continued list of the deadliest intersections across the country visit fanglawfirm.com.

Cologne seeks $15 million for wastewater improvements

City officials have known for years that the Cologne wastewater treatment facility would eventually need major renovations. Regular maintenance has sustained the city thus far, but now the facility is reaching its capacity and the city is seeking a $15 million grant from the state to fund improvements.Sen. Julia Coleman recently introduced a bill to secure the necessary funding, which will be heard Thursday, March 9 in the Senate Capital Investment Committee."The City of Cologne's wastewater treatment facility is over 25 y...

City officials have known for years that the Cologne wastewater treatment facility would eventually need major renovations. Regular maintenance has sustained the city thus far, but now the facility is reaching its capacity and the city is seeking a $15 million grant from the state to fund improvements.

Sen. Julia Coleman recently introduced a bill to secure the necessary funding, which will be heard Thursday, March 9 in the Senate Capital Investment Committee.

"The City of Cologne's wastewater treatment facility is over 25 years old and urgently needs upgrades to meet current permit standards and accommodate the city's growth," said Coleman in a statement.

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Without extensive improvements Cologne, residents will be looking at exponential user rate increases, according to the city. Additionally, the city says it’s facing a potential moratorium on growth and new development if it is unable to receive funding assistance from the state.

Cologne’s population has been steadily increasing year after year. From 2000 to 2020, the population of the city nearly doubled, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Cologne’s location along Highway 212 is also noteworthy as new construction could bring more traffic or prospective developers to the region.

“With more building and more construction and a four-lane highway rolling through, we’re looking at a boom tomorrow,” said Mayor Matt Lein.

Presently, the city has completed and submitted a wastewater facility plan to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. In addition to its grant request, the city has also applied for the Clean Water Revolving Fund and Point Source Implementation Grant programs.

Unlike some cities in Carver County, such as Chaska or Chanhassen, Cologne is not part of the Metropolitan Council’s wastewater collection system. Instead, it treats its own wastewater.

The existing wastewater infrastructure was built in 1996, and the push for facility improvements is not only due to growth but environmental factors as well. Currently, the facility is exceeding the effluent phosphorus limits set by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

Per the river eutrophication standards approved in 2015, limits to the amount of phosphorus released from a given wastewater treatment facility have become more stringent. Excessive phosphorus creates an overgrowth of algae that is harmful to aquatic life. The improvements serve to protect nearby Benton Lake and the Minnesota River basin.

Previous efforts to optimize the current facility include the city’s infiltration and inflow reduction plan, which consisted of closing unpermitted sewer system connections, repairing cracks in pipes and making sure excess water wasn’t entering the system. The plan helped delay the expansion of the facility, but officials knew that a new plant would eventually become necessary.

“We knew that today was coming, we just had no way to save for it,” said Lein.

Middle schoolers share H.O.P.E. with new volunteer club

A tiny middle school is becoming an inspiration after students created a club to spread goodwill year-round.COLOGNE, Minnesota — At Cologne Academy Middle School, the students created a club hoping to bring a little more "H.O.P.E." to their community."It stands for Helping Others and Promoting Empathy," said Abby O'Boyle, an 8th grader and club member.In its first year, enthusiasm for the club is sweeping the school. Out of 272 students, more than 60 are involved."I thought it would ...

A tiny middle school is becoming an inspiration after students created a club to spread goodwill year-round.

COLOGNE, Minnesota — At Cologne Academy Middle School, the students created a club hoping to bring a little more "H.O.P.E." to their community.

"It stands for Helping Others and Promoting Empathy," said Abby O'Boyle, an 8th grader and club member.

In its first year, enthusiasm for the club is sweeping the school. Out of 272 students, more than 60 are involved.

"I thought it would be a good thing to do, especially for myself and also society to help out," said Jemma Vera, an 8th grade club member.

After teaming up with the National Junior Honor Society, the H.O.P.E. club collected more than 2,000 pairs of socks for those in need. The club also collected food for the local food shelf and is making cards to present to local veterans.

"We just want to say thank you because they've done so much for us," O'Boyle said.

Ashpole launched the club with O'Boyle, who sparked the idea, as a way to give students a voice.

"I think when you come to school and you're able to give back and be a part of a larger community, you feel like you belong," Ashpole said.

The students in the club agree. "We kind of find joy in helping others, and like it helps students be selfless and try to make others be selfless, too," O'Boyle said.

As for what's next for H.O.P.E.? They're getting together to box food for Feed My Starving Children.

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Comcast Minnesota broadband expansion includes Corcoran, Cologne, Nowthen

Comcast Corp. will be boosting fiber-optic broadband internet service in seven Minnesota cities by the end of the year.Philadelphia-based Comcast (Nasdaq: CMCSA) said Monday it is expanding service in Corcoran, Cologne, Nowthen and parts of Grant, Hugo, Rogers and Stillwater Township. The expansion is part of Comcast’s broader statewide initiative that has seen about $473 million investment across Minnesota over the last three years.The latest expansion is receiving funding from Border-to-Border Broadband, Minnesota&rsquo...

Comcast Corp. will be boosting fiber-optic broadband internet service in seven Minnesota cities by the end of the year.

Philadelphia-based Comcast (Nasdaq: CMCSA) said Monday it is expanding service in Corcoran, Cologne, Nowthen and parts of Grant, Hugo, Rogers and Stillwater Township. The expansion is part of Comcast’s broader statewide initiative that has seen about $473 million investment across Minnesota over the last three years.

The latest expansion is receiving funding from Border-to-Border Broadband, Minnesota’s grant program that funds internet expansion to unserved or underserved areas in the state. According to Corcoran's city website, the program gave Comcast $1.2 million for its expansion into Corcoran last fall.

Kalyn Hove, Comcast’s senior vice president of the Midwest, said in a statement that Comcast’s expansion in the region will service over 10,000 additional homes.

“We are building a future of unlimited possibilities in the Twin Cities and across the Midwest. These expansions, plus planned networks enhancements, will service nearly 14,000 additional homes," Hove said. The

Comcast said that the cities should expect to see 5 to 10 times faster upload speeds and smoother connections with the Xfinity Network than before.

Last summer, Comcast added services to more than 2,300 homes and businesses in Wayzata after starting construction of a new network in 2022. Comcast said Wayzata businesses now have broadband speeds of up to 100 gigabytes and speeds faster than 1 gigabit per second for residents.

Corcoran’s mayor Tom McKee said last fall during Comcast’s groundbreaking that access to reliable, high-speed broadband is a powerful driver of economic growth and development in their community.

“The quality of lives will be greatly enhanced thanks to the partnership with Comcast, Hennepin County and the Minnesota Office of Broadband," McKee said. "Together we will be bringing broadband to nearly 500 unserved homes and businesses in Corcoran.”

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11CenturyLink
22Comcast Corp.
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Cologne Becomes First All-Solar Minnesota City

COLOGNE, Minn. (WCCO) - Cologne is the first city in Minnesota to get all of its electricity supplied by the sun.City leaders inked a deal that will switch all city-owned buildings to solar power within the next two years.But it comes at a time that other solar power developers across the state may have to scale back their earlier plans. That's because a new state law means the Public Utilities Commission, which regulates the state's utilities, will limit the amount of energy generated.The law will limit...

COLOGNE, Minn. (WCCO) - Cologne is the first city in Minnesota to get all of its electricity supplied by the sun.

City leaders inked a deal that will switch all city-owned buildings to solar power within the next two years.

But it comes at a time that other solar power developers across the state may have to scale back their earlier plans. That's because a new state law means the Public Utilities Commission, which regulates the state's utilities, will limit the amount of energy generated.

The law will limit the maximum output to half the amount solar energy proponents had envisioned.

Cologne might be small in size, at around 1,500 residents, but it is big into clean energy. The Cologne city hall and community center is heated and cooled entirely from geothermal wells.

"Here's an opportunity to go green, offset our usage and save some money," city administrator Jesse Dickson said.

The city has contracted to get all of its electricity from the sun. Cologne entered into a contract to buy all of its power for its buildings, pumps and plants, from SunShare, a developer of community solar gardens.

"As soon as SunShare and the panels start producing power, hypothetically, we will immediately start seeing savings," Dickson said.

It hopes to trim savings from the annual electricity expenditure of $140,000 by entering into the 25-year, fixed-cost contract. That will guarantee the city will not see its energy bills rise.

A 2013 state law allows construction of industrial-sized solar gardens to turn sunshine into electricity. Xcel Energy is obligated under the law to purchase the power and sell it back to customers like Cologne. The city will, in turn, receive at least a 5-percent solar credit against their energy bill.

"We will build the systems and handle all the complexities," SunShare's policy director, Ross Abbey, said.

SunShare had planned five or more clusters of solar gardens, each generating up to 10 megawatts of power.

But last week state regulators felt that exceeded the law's intent and voted to authorize only half that amount – five megawatts per cluster of five solar gardens.

"This will place some limits on the market, but we're hopeful that as we start to develop our first projects, deliver solar credits to satisfied subscribers, people will want to see more of this stuff," Abbey said.

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