Commitments and Contingencies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

Note 16.  Commitments and Contingencies

We are involved in certain contractual disputes in the ordinary course of business. We do not believe the ultimate resolution of any of these existing matters will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In August 2010, we were awarded a National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA) Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) grant to extend our middle mile fiber-optic network across greater Minnesota connecting health care facilities, schools, libraries, higher education institutions and public offices with an advanced high-capacity broadband network. This project involves approximately $24,000,000 of capital expenditures of which $16,800,000 is funded by the NTIA grant. We began capitalizing costs associated with this project in 2010 and began receiving grant funds in June 2011. The following table provides an overview of the capital expenditures incurred on or received from the program.

	Project Activity
(Dollars in thousands)	YTD September 30, 2012		YTD December 31, 2011		Project Total
Capital Expenditures Incurred	$	5,521	$	12,664	$	18,185
NTIA Reimbursements Received	$	2,941	$	6,945	$	9,886

We anticipate the completion of this project by August 2013.