Infrastructure

Utilities and Energy

Electricity

Itasca Mantrap Electric Cooperative

Rural service area around Park Rapids and nearby communities; Provides electric distribution to many HLDC-area businesses and residents; supports reliability and local service considerations

City of Park Rapids Utilities

Municipal electric service for the Park Rapids area; also manages water and wastewater for the city. This is a primary, locally governed electric utility option for Park Rapids businesses and residences.

Minnesota Power & Light

Regional investor‑owned utility with service in parts of surrounding area; note, some portions near HLDC communities are served by local co-ops or municipal utilities.

Beltrami Electric Cooperative

Beltrami Electric is a not-for-profit community-focused electric cooperative created to efficiently deliver affordable, reliable and sustainable energy to more than 18,500 homes, businesses, farms and schools.  Beltrami Electric Cooperative is led and belongs to the communities we serve. The power of community is what being an electric cooperative is all about.

Natural Gas

Minnesota Energy Resources Corporation serves portions of the region with natural gas service; many Hubbard County businesses rely on this for facilities, process heat, and space heating.

Water and Wastewater

Park Rapids 

City of Park Rapids Utilities operates the municipal water and the wastewater/sewer system for the city, with service agreements and connection processes documented by the city. This is a key water/sewage infrastructure asset for Park Rapids-based sites and growth projects. 

Nevis

The City of Nevis provides water and sewer services to the residents, including private homes, apartments and commercial users. 

Akeley

Akeley is home to more than 400 residents representing 170+ households and provides water and wastewater services within the City limits. 

Laporte

Laporte is serviced by a water and wastewater system within the City limits.

Broadband/Telecommunications

Paul Bunyan Communications

Paul Bunyan Communications' fiber footprint includes Park Rapids and Lake George corridors, which is critical for remote work, manufacturing communications, and digital-enabled services. The Paul Bunyan Communications Border-to-Border broadband project impacts portions of Hubbard County and surrounding counties and supports more locations with fiber connectivity. 

Blandin Foundation

The Blandin Foundation provides statuses of county-wide connectivity, coverage, and gaps; useful for planners and economic developers aiming to expand high-speed access.

Arvig

Arvig is committed to providing you with not only the best internet experience but also the best customer service. We are confident our high-speed internet service with Managed WiFi and our dedicated team will meet—and exceed—your expectations.

Column

Transportation Infrastructure

County and State Roads

The Hubbard County Highway Department maintains a 523-mile county road network (322 miles paved; 201 miles gravel), coordinating with MnDOT on state highways and with utilities for projects. This is the backbone for freight movement, employee commutes, and business access across Park Rapids, Nevis, Akeley, Laporte, Dorset, Lake George, and surrounding areas. MnDOT District 2 (Northwest Minnesota) manages state highways serving the HLDC region, including Highway 34, Highway 200, Highway 71, Highway 64 and Highway 87 in Hubbard County—critical for intra-regional access and interstate connections. 

Key Highways and Corridors

Minnesota State Highway 34

East–West corridor through Park Rapids; connects to Detroit Lakes and Walker; important for freight, tourism, and regional access.
 

Minnesota State Highway 87

Connects Park Rapids area to Hubbard County communities; major reconstruction and detour management anticipated in 2025, with MnDOT updates and detour routing via County Roads 20, 34, 71

Minnesota State Highway 200

East–West corridor crossing Hubbard County; intersects with U.S. 2 corridor; critical for regional integration with Itasca and Aitkin counties. MnDOT maintains improvements along this corridor in the broader region. 

U.S. Highways 2, 71, and Minnesota Highways 34, 34/71

Concurrency near Kabekona/Itasca State Park area; important for freight, tourism access, and cross-regional movement.

Notable Transportation Developments

Distances and Travel Times to Major Cities

Minneapolis, MN

Distance: ~235–260 miles
Typical driving time: roughly 4.0–4.5 hours
Relevance: regional economic hub for advanced manufacturing, national-scale distributors, and corporate services; strong air service via Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport.

St. Paul, MN

Distance: ~235–270 miles
Typical driving time: ~4.0–4.5 hours
Relevance: state capital; access to state government programs, workforce training partners, and regional business services.

Duluth, MN

Distance: ~160–190 miles 
Typical driving time: ~3.0–3.5 hours
Relevance: regional distribution, tourism, and manufacturing suppliers located along Lake Superior corridor.

Brainerd, MN

Distance: ~60–80 miles
Typical driving time: ~1.0–1.5 hours
Relevance: regional services hub; close-by market service providers, suppliers, and logistics touchpoints relevant for BRE and expansion.

Fargo, ND

Distance: ~260–300 miles
Typical driving time: ~4.5–5.0 hours
Relevance: large regional market; cross-border supply chains and transportation investment opportunities.

Grand Forks, ND

Distance: ~250–300 miles
Typical driving time: ~4.0–5.0 hours
Relevance: regional logistics partner, agricultural processing corridors, and workforce reach.

Itasca State Park / Mississippi Headwaters Region

Proximity: immediate to Park Rapids area (local tourism and outdoor recreation hub)
Relevance: live-where-you-vacation quality of place; supports HLDC’s tourism and quality-of-place objectives, with downstream economic effects on lodging, restaurants, and outdoor recreation sector.

Distances and Travel Times to Major Cities

Minneapolis, MN

Distance: ~235–260 miles
Typical driving time: roughly 4.0–4.5 hours
Relevance: regional economic hub for advanced manufacturing, national-scale distributors, and corporate services; strong air service via Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport.

St. Paul, MN

Distance: ~235–270 miles
Typical driving time: ~4.0–4.5 hours
Relevance: state capital; access to state government programs, workforce training partners, and regional business services.

Duluth, MN

Distance: ~160–190 miles 
Typical driving time: ~3.0–3.5 hours
Relevance: regional distribution, tourism, and manufacturing suppliers located along Lake Superior corridor.

Brainerd, MN

Distance: ~60–80 miles
Typical driving time: ~1.0–1.5 hours
Relevance: regional services hub; close-by market service providers, suppliers, and logistics touchpoints relevant for BRE and expansion.

Fargo, ND

Distance: ~260–300 miles
Typical driving time: ~4.5–5.0 hours
Relevance: large regional market; cross-border supply chains and transportation investment opportunities.

Grand Forks, ND

Distance: ~250–300 miles
Typical driving time: ~4.0–5.0 hours
Relevance: regional logistics partner, agricultural processing corridors, and workforce reach.

Itasca State Park / Mississippi Headwaters Region

Proximity: immediate to Park Rapids area (local tourism and outdoor recreation hub)
Relevance: live-where-you-vacation quality of place; supports HLDC’s tourism and quality-of-place objectives, with downstream economic effects on lodging, restaurants, and outdoor recreation sector.

Bemidji, MN

Distance: ~21–29 miles 
Typical driving time: ~25–35 minutes
Relevance: Regional Airport