Access to Broadband for all Minnesota Residents

It is my belief that it is imperative to the financial health of this State for all residents to have access to high speed broadband. While the initial investment would be large, it would draw industry and industrious individuals to live and work in this great State.

As a resident of Cook County, it is detrimental to the county’s economy which is already limited. The county is dependent on an undependable tourism industry to employ a large percentage of its residents. The terrain and sparse density of area presents two roadblocks to allowing existing entities to provide this access to all the residents of Cook County. Access to high speed broadband to all residents of the County would offer many new avenues to bring industry and jobs to the county related and unrelated to the tourism industry. The diversity that could ensue would ensure a more even economy.

However, speaking personally for my husband’s small home business, the barrier of only having access to dial up deters achieving a comfortable financial return from this home business. He could expand his business and revenue many times over with an “online store”. Not only could we and others expand local industry through high speed internet access, I also believe that the many seasonal homeowners would stay longer and invest more time and money here if high speed broadband was available to any location in Cook County.

As a resident of this State, I believe the rewards would be great for Minnesota to be a leader in providing high speed internet access to each and every resident.