EVENT May 19 (today): BEAD Non-Deployment Funds Could Fund Precision Ag, and more from Fiber Connect byBroadband Breakfast

Posted on by
Reply

From Broadband Breakfast…

Broadband Breakfast Live Online at Fiber Connect

Broadband Breakfast is planning to host online events at Fiber Connect from May 18-May 20 – on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Panelists

  • Rebecca Denman, President of Business Development, UniTek Global Services
  • Greg Bathrick,Area Vice President of Commercial Development, Calix
  • Donald Ray, Chief Development Officer, BAM Broadband
  • Lindsay Randazzo, Senior Director of Marketing, Innovative Systems
  • Anis Khemakhem, Chief Commercial Officer, Clearfield
  • Drew Clark (moderator), CEO and Publisher, Broadband Breakfast

Midco and Switch announce a multistate connectivity agreement supporting critical AI infrastructure in the Midwest

Posted on by
Reply

This highlights our neighbors in North Dakota more than Minnesota, but MidCo announces…

Midco and Switch are proud to announce a five-year, multistate connectivity agreement supporting critical AI infrastructure in Ellendale, North Dakota.

“This connectivity deal strengthens Midco’s position as the nation’s largest 400G circuit provider1, enabling hyperscalers and data centers to grow with confidence,” said Midco President and Chief Operating Officer Ben Dold. “With unmatched network customization, engineering responsiveness and high-capacity transport reach, Midco is redefining what high-bandwidth fiber connectivity can deliver.”
The agreement includes more than 500 individual 400 gigabit-per-second (Gbps) circuits delivered across two geographically diverse routes, providing full path redundancy between Ellendale, ND and Chicago, IL. In total, the network enables 200 terabits of capacity.

They do frame it from a regional level…

“This partnership demonstrates that the Midwest is open for business,” said Midco Director of Wholesale Jeff Sanders. “It shows that our region, with its favorable climate, abundant natural resources, renewable energy and strong business environment, continues to be the optimal location for data centers and hyperscalers. Our network covers the heart of the region, and our long-haul routes connect business customers to major points of presence sites like Minneapolis, Omaha, Chicago and Denver, allowing the transmission of massive volumes of voice, video and data at reliable 400G speeds.”

Groundbreaking for Willmar Connect, a city-owned, citywide broadband project, happened May 12

Posted on by
Reply

The West Central Tribune reports...

It’s official. The city of Willmar is on its way to becoming a “gig-city” following the groundbreaking for Willmar Connect — a city-owned, citywide broadband network.

“Willmar Connect will help ensure that Willmar is connected and in a position of success for generations,” said Willmar Mayor Doug Reese. “Years from now, we will look back on today as the moment Willmar took control of its digital future and invested boldly in the next generation.”

The article reports on the history and context of the project…

The city will own the infrastructure and Willmar Connect will be operated and managed by Hometown Fiber. Multiple internet service providers will operate on the open-access network, paying fees that will generate revenue to service the debt and interest on the bonds issued to fund network construction.

Kramer Service Group of Wisconsin was awarded the bid to construct phase one of the project at a cost of approximately $8.2 million. Phase one includes installing the network infrastructure to all businesses and residences west of First Street between U.S. Highway 12 and 19th Avenue, excluding the Willmar Industrial Park.

The city is continuing to pursue an approximately $1.5 million economic development grant that will build out fiber, as well as other infrastructure such as roads, water and sewer, in the Willmar Industrial Park.

In April, the Willmar City Council approved the issuance of approximately $8.3 million in general obligation tax abatement bonds at approximately 3.9% interest to fund construction of phase one.

Phase two of the project will build out the network in the southern and eastern portions of the city and phase three will build it out to the north. The total cost if all three phases are completed exceeds $30 million, including debt service and interest on the bonds. Phase two and three are expected to be completed in the next few years.

FCC to investigating potential fraud in E-Rate program in Minnesota

Posted on by
Reply

The FCC reports...

Today, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr announced that the
Commission has sent three Letters of Inquiry to Minnesota educational institutions to investigate
potential misuse of federal funds disbursed through the E-Rate program. This marks the latest effort
by the Commission to combat fraud, waste, and abuse in Universal Service Fund (USF) programs.
The USF’s E-Rate program helps schools and libraries obtain affordable telecommunications and
information services so students, teachers, and library patrons can take advantage of online
opportunities. The program has provided support to over 132,000 schools and libraries across the
country by funding discounts on Internet access and Wi-Fi services.
Chairman Carr issued the following statement:
“The FCC is committed to stopping bad actors from defrauding our USF programs, including those
who target our E-Rate program as a way to line their own pockets. When billions of dollars are at
stake, we need to ensure that the Commission’s programs are working efficiently and effectively. By
requesting critical program information from Minnesota educational institutions suspected of
wrongdoing within this program, we’re taking that initial and critical step towards being well
informed, good stewards of federal dollars to ensure program funds are being used for their intended
purposes.”
Additional Background Information:
Chairman Carr continues to conduct a top-to-bottom review of all USF programs to ensure taxpayer
dollars are protected. In April 2026, Chairman Carr announced the suspension of seven individuals
involved in a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme targeting the E-Rate program. As part of the FCC’s
efforts to combat fraud, waste, and abuse in Universal Service Fund programs, the FCC recently voted
on updates to its suspension and debarment rules that enable the agency to take quicker and more
comprehensive action against wrongdoers

OPPORTUNITY: USDA applications open for grants to build community-oriented broadband for in rural areas

Posted on by
Reply

From the USDA…

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development invites grant applications to build community-oriented, high-speed internet networks for people in rural areas.

USDA Rural Development is making approximately $17 million available under the Community Connect Grant Program. The program provides financial assistance to eligible applicants that will provide broadband service in rural, economically challenged communities where service does not exist.

Community Connect funds may be used for:

  • The construction, acquisition, or leasing of facilities, spectrum, land or buildings used to deploy broadband service.
  • The cost of providing broadband service free of charge to critical community facilities for two years.
  • The improvement, expansion, construction or acquisition of a community center that provides public access to high-speed internet (up to 10% of the award amount or $150,000 may be used for this purpose).

Award recipients must agree to provide high-speed internet service at community-serving institutions free of charge for up to two years. These institutions include schools, libraries, fire stations and other public safety sites.

Eligible applicants include state and local governments, federally recognized Tribes, nonprofits, for-profit corporations and limited liability companies.

Applications must be submitted electronically no later than June 29, 2026. Additional program information is available on the Community Connect Program website. Interested applicants are encourage to contact their Telecom Program General Field Representative (GFR) and may submit questions using the Community Connect Contact Us Form.

 

Rural Broadband Protection Act requires the FCC to screen applicants for solvency before making awards

Posted on by
Reply

The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society reports…

On May 11, 2026, President Trump signed the Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025 (S. 98) into law. The new law requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) to screen applicants for high-cost universal service broadband funding before committing funds, and sets minimum financial penalties for applicants who default before receiving funding.

The example of need the author includes happened in Minnesota…

When the FCC ran the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF)—a reverse auction that in 2020 initially awarded $9.23 billion to bring broadband to 5,220,833 locations in 49 states—the Commission largely assessed winning bidders’ qualifications after the auction was over, through a post-bid, “long-form” application process (a detailed post-auction filing in which winning bidders were required to demonstrate their qualifications). The result was a wave of defaults and denials that left roughly 1.9 million of those locations without the broadband service the FCC had promised RDOF would make possible.

The most prominent example: the FCC ultimately denied the program’s largest winning bidder, LTD Broadband, a Minnesota-based fixed wireless provider, which initially won $1.3 billion in RDOF awards, after concluding the company “was not reasonably capable of offering the required gigabit-speed, low-latency service throughout the broad areas where it won auction support.”1 That determination came only after the auction had closed and the award had been tentatively made.

The root of the change…

The Rural Broadband Protection Act is Congress’s answer. The law amends Section 254 of the Communications Act of 1934—the statutory foundation of the Universal Service Fund (USF)—by adding a new subsection (“m”) that requires the FCC to screen applicants before making awards, and to set minimum financial penalties for those who default before funding flows.

Fiber Broadband says Precision Agriculture needs fiber

Posted on by
Reply

Fiber Broadband Association releases a report that outlines the benefits of fiber for precision agriculture…

Precision Ag depends on data and broadband networks. Farming is transforming into a highly connected, data-driven industry and this shift fundamentally changes the broadband requirements of rural America.

Current 100/20 Mbps thresholds do not reflect these realities and risk prematurely classifying agricultural communities as “served,” but a symmetrical baseline of at least 100/100 Mbps better reflects the operational demands of Precision Ag today and the technologies emerging over the next decade. Among broadband technologies, fiber remains uniquely positioned to meet these requirements due to its symmetric capacity, extremely low latency, and virtually unlimited scalability.

To ensure U.S. agriculture remains competitive and resilient, broadband policy must evolve past minimum speed thresholds and “good enough” infrastructure to reflect the realities of data-driven farming. Investing in scalable fiber infrastructure ensures that rural America and the nation’s food supply remain competitive in a rapidly evolving agricultural economy.

It makes sense that the Fiber Broadband Association would feel that way. They also list some increased needs they predict will happen as a result of AI…

Practically, technology advancements and AI integration push networks toward the following requirements:
• More upstream throughput (moving raw/processed data to models)
• Lower-latency access (interactive recommendations and control)
• More reliability (automation cannot “pause” for a flaky link or bad weather)
• Edge computing architectures (local processing plus cloud synchronization)
• Scalability (more devices and higher data rates over time)
• Security (critical operational data, ransomware risks, supply chain access)

EVENT May 13: Broadband Breakfast on The Politics of Data Centers

Posted on by
Reply

From Broadband Breakfast...

The fiercest battles over data centers are no longer being fought in Washington. They’re playing out in county commissions, township zoning boards, and statehouses responding to grassroots revolt. From shots fired at an Indianapolis councilman’s home to Maine’s moratorium, Georgia’s legislative stalemate, and zoning fights from East Whiteland to Glynn County, municipalities have become the front line of America’s data center debate. What do local officials, industry voices and telecom and energy policy experts say about how zoning, preemption, and ratepayer concerns are reshaping where, and whether, data centers get built?

Willmar Council seeks bids to turn former wastewater treatment plant into the network operations center for Willmar Connect.

Posted on by
Reply

The West Central Tribune reports…

During a brief 15-minute Willmar City Council meeting last week, the council approved more than $6.2 million in street improvement projects to be completed this summer.

The council accepted the low bids and approved the as-bid budgets for the reconstruction of Fourth Street Southwest, several seal-coating projects and stormwater improvements.

The council during the May 4 meeting also authorized the advertisement for bids for renovation of the former wastewater treatment plant building on Fifth Street Southeast to be the network operations center for the citywide broadband project known as Willmar Connect.

More info on the Willmar Connect project…

Willmar Connect is the city’s plan to construct a city-owned, open-access broadband network that will be operated and managed by Hometown Fiber. Multiple internet service providers can operate on the network, paying fees to the city that will generate revenue to service the debt and interest on the bonds issued to pay for network construction.

Phase one of the project will take place this year, constructing the network operations center and installing fiber-optic lines for all businesses and residences west of First Street South between U.S. Highway 12 and 19th Avenue.

Phase two of the project will install fiber-optic lines for businesses and residences south of 19th Avenue and east of First Street South and is expected to commence next year. Phase three, expected in 2028, will finish the installation of fiber-optic lines north of Highway 12.

 

City of Superior (WI) expands ConnectSuperior broadband by 1000 locations

Posted on by
Reply

WDIO reports…

On Friday, the City of Superior kicked off the second phase of expanding its ConnectSuperior fiber broadband internet network.

This phase aims to add another 1,100 homes and businesses to the network, increasing the service area to more than 2,000 passings. …

Residents in the current service areas can now sign up to schedule free service installation, while those in the new North End area will be able to sign up in mid-summer.

To learn more about the project, click here.

EVENT May 12: Windom City Council to hear Windomnet acquisition proposals

Posted on by
Reply

Windom News reports…

The Windom City Council will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, beginning at 4:30 p.m., at the Windom Community Center.

The purpose of the meeting is to hear proposal presentations from entities that are interested in purchasing the Windomnet telecom system from the city.

The city received requests for proposals from three companies that expressed interest in purchasing Windomnet: Midco, Southwest Minnesota Broadband Services and Federated Broadband. Each of the three will make their presentations for the council to consider at the meeting. However, no action to authorize a sale of Windomnet will take place at this meeting.

The meeting was moved to the Community Center to accommodate public attendance at the meeting.

Connecting One Minnesota 2026 Broadband Summit: Notes from Office of Broadband Development

Posted on by
Reply

From Office of Broadband Development…

Connecting One Minnesota: 2026 Broadband Summit 

Last week, Minnesota’s Department of Employment and Economic Development’s (DEED) Office of Broadband Development (OBD) hosted the Connecting One Minnesota: 2026 Broadband Summit. This in-person event brought together national leaders, internet service providers, federal, state, Tribal, and local government partners, and broadband advocates from across Minnesota.

The morning began with welcome videos from Governor Tim Walz, Senator Amy Klobuchar and Senator Tina Smith, with a keynote address from the Center for Rural Policy & Development’s President and CEO, Julie Tesch. Morning panels provided insights from leading national associations and broadband directors from Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan, who shared how they navigate federal and state programs to meet the unique needs of their states.

The Governor’s Task Force on Broadband met over lunch to provide an overview of their work and recommendations from the 2025 Task Force annual report, plus progress on achieving state broadband goals. They discussed with national leaders how the work in Minnesota compares to work nationwide.

Afternoon breakout sessions focused on upcoming work with the federal Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) for subgrantees, providing support and information on the grant’s management system for the program, environmental and historic preservation considerations and monitoring and field validation.

Other breakout sessions explored Minnesota’s public broadband maps with Connected Nation; strategies for engaging residents, local leaders, media and underserved communities in broadband initiatives; innovative workforce development training programs; and creative action for partnership in Minnesota around broadband digital opportunity.

OBD is deeply thankful to the national leaders who traveled to Minnesota for this event to both share their perspectives and to support and learn about the work happening across the state.

Connecting all people in Minnesota to affordable, reliable, high-speed internet is critical to our economic stability and this summit provided an opportunity to discuss ways to collaborate better as we move forward to achieve state broadband goals. Stay up to date with the latest OBD news by signing up for the biweekly newsletter.

New MN Bill: A bill for an act relating to taxation; sales and use; repealing the exemption for data centers HF5125

Posted on by
Reply

From the MN House…

Sencer-Mura introduced:

H. F. 5125, A bill for an act relating to taxation; sales and use; repealing the exemption for data centers; repealing the contingent reduction in special education aid appropriations; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 216B.02, by adding a subdivision; Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, sections 216B.02, subdivision 12; 297A.75, subdivisions 1, 2, 3; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 297A.68, subdivision 42; Laws 2025, First Special Session chapter 10, article 7, section 8.

The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Energy Finance and Policy.

OPPORTUNITY: USDA Accepts Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Applications open to improve access to remote education and health care in rural communities

Posted on by
Reply

USDA Rural Development announces...

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development invites grant applications to improve access to remote education and health care in rural communities.
USDA is making approximately $27 million in funding available under the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grant Program.
This program funds distance learning and telemedicine equipment, including audio and video equipment, to
improve access to educational and health care opportunities in rural communities. These funds will help
digitally connect people to education, training and healthcare resources that are otherwise unavailable or limited in remote parts of the country.
For example, DLT funding expands opportunities for:
• Students to participate in classes that may be in locations too far to access in person;
• Teachers to provide their expertise, trainings and educational services to students across the country; and
• Patients to seek specialized care and treatment from medical professionals without needing to leave their
homes or communities.
Eligible applicants include state and local governmental entities, federally recognized Tribes, nonprofits and for
profit businesses.
Applications must be submitted electronically through grants.gov no later than June 30, 2026. Additional program information is available on the DLT Program website. Interested applicants are encourage to contact their Telecom Program General Field Representative (GFR) and may submit questions using the Contact Us Form.
To subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, sign up at the GovDelivery subscriber page.

New MN Bill: Open Meeting Law; meeting broadcasting through social media authorized HF3295

Posted on by
Reply

The new bill will be discussed today (May 7) at 1pm on HTV1…

HF3295 (Gordon) Open Meeting Law; meeting broadcasting through social media authorized.