The MN Broadband Task Force today learned about how the annual task force report has been written in the past. They got updates on BEAD, State grants and staff updates from the Office of Broadband Development. And heard from ConnectMN and their work understanding Digital Navigators.

Below are screenshots and notes from the meeting

10:05 a.m.  Welcome and Introductions: Teddy Bekele, Chair, Minnesota Governor’s Task Force on Broadband

10:05 a.m. – 10:10 a.m. Approval of minutes from May 15^th, 2024, Task Force Meeting

 

10:10 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.  Southwest Initiative Foundation’s Regional Impact : Briana Mumme, Economic Development Manager, Southwest Initiative Foundation

Question: What new things have you tried?
Some folks are ready for change and some are not. That can slow us down.

SWIF provides tech assistance. What does that mean? I provide tech assistance and I’ve noticed that more businesses could use it.

10:30 a.m. – 10:55 a.m. BEAD Update
Bree Maki, Executive Director, Office of Broadband Development

Volume 1 is done

10:55 a.m. – 11:10 a.m.  Digital Opportunity Update
Bree Maki, Executive Director, Office of Broadband Development
Hannah Buckland, Digital Equity Program Lead

Hoping to get funding in September.

Question: Are there any concerns?
We don’t know future funding.

OBD will not be managing competitive grant – it is separate from capacity grants, which they do manage. Seems like regional approach is best.

Question: Do you know who is watching this?
It seems to be on radars but no known quantity now.

ACP has gone away
Some states using BEAD surplus funds to replace ACP, but Minnesota doesn’t have surplus.
Maybe a request could be made at Legislature next week.

We can update Digital Equity Plan.

11:10 a.m. – 11:20 a.m.               Break

11:20 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Broadband Overview

Bree Maki, Executive Director, Office of Broadband Development

Be sure to get OBD’s newsletter
We will be working on annual report
We have new staff
Looking to hire for a number of positions

Line Extension –
Round 1 – all are active
Round 2 – getting signatures
Round 3 – addresses have been out since May 24

Round 10 Border to Border & Low Density Grants
68 applications
33 challenges

Going through an audit

Data quality has been a big issues with challenges in States.
BEAD challenges will be completely different from OBD

11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  ConnectedMN, Connectivity and Digital Navigation in Minnesota

Scott D. Cole, CEO/Co-founder, Collectivity

Questions: What are big challenges?
Apprehension about readiness.
How can we partner with folks like community colleges

ConnectedMN is not part of the Office of Broadband Development

12:00 p.m. – 12:20 p.m.               Sub-Group Discussion on future meetings:

Affordability & Digital Equity
Update: none

Economic Opportunity & Workforce
Update: invite regional economic developers, get presentation on timeline of broadband development

Mapping, Funding, & Policy
Update: Invite Ag & Broadband Leg Committee to come to Task Force mtg
Talked about speakers

12:20 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.  Other Business, July 18^th Meeting Plans, Wrap-up