A new report was recently released (State Broadband Initiatives: A Summary of State Programs Designed to Stimulate Broadband Deployment and Demand) from the Alliance for Public Technology and CWA. It surveys state broadband initiatives in seven key areas: broadband commissions, task forces, and authorities; public-private partnerships; direct funding programs; state networks; telehealth initiatives; tax policies; and demand-side programs.

Here are there general findings:

• Economic Growth Depends on High-Speed Networks.
• Millions of Americans Don’t Have High-Speed Internet.
• The U.S. Trails Behind Other Countries.
• State Governments Provide National Models.

They have listed two projects in Minnesota:

• Minnesota Telehealth Network (MTN)
• Ultra High-Speed Broadband Task Force

I have to admit that I find the report only kind of interesting. I think that’s because there are only kind of interesting thigns happening out there on a statewide level.