What is the digital last inch? And how does it impact counties?

Posted on by
Reply

digitalLIFT is a nonprofit in San Francisco that focuses on digital inclusion. They have an interesting article that adds the last inch onto the analogy of first mile, middle mile, last mile…

We talk about miles, but digital equity is measured in inches. We use the term final inch to describe the moment when broadband moves beyond infrastructure and becomes meaningful for a person. The final inch is the small but critical distance between the network and the moment someone touches a device and successfully uses it, for example:

  • A resident taps a screen to schedule a telehealth appointment
  • A parent logs into a school portal
  • A job seeker submits an online application
  • A small business owner processes a digital payment

From a technical perspective, broadband may already be available. The fiber may pass the home. The drop may be installed. Wi-Fi may be active inside the building. But until the connection reaches a person’s hands, and they can use it confidently, the promise of broadband isn’t fulfilled.

The final inch is where infrastructure becomes opportunity. It’s the moment when a network connection turns into access to services, economic mobility, education, healthcare, or civic participation. In other words, the final inch is the human connection.

And why this matters to counties…

County governments are positioned at the intersection of:

  • Infrastructure deployment
  • Workforce development
  • Public health
  • Economic development
  • Aging services
  • Libraries
  • Schools
  • Social services

When counties focus only on the last mile, they risk leaving impact on the table. But when counties plan for the final inch, they multiply their return on investment.

That means pairing infrastructure funding with:

  • Digital literacy training
  • Device access programs
  • Digital navigators
  • Multilingual outreach
  • Enrollment assistance
  • In-home technical support

Broadband is not just a utility. It is now the delivery system for government services. If residents cannot use it, counties cannot fully serve them.

How is social media use linked to views of democracy?

Posted on by
Reply

A recent Gallup report looks at the connection between social media and views of democracy…

Heavy users of social media are more likely than others to believe that leaders are listening to them and to view democratic participation as effective, according to a study conducted by the Charles F. Kettering Foundation and Gallup. However, they are also less likely to think democracy is the best form of government and more likely to express views that depart from widely held democratic norms about violence and political compromise.

These results are from a nationally representative study of more than 20,000 U.S. adults, conducted July 7-Aug. 25, 2025, that finds complex relationships between social media usage and views of U.S. democracy, even when controlling for age, income and other factors related to social media use.

They made a few observations:

  • Heavy Social Media Users More Likely to Feel Valued and Represented
  • Social Media Use Tied to Belief in Effectiveness of Participation
  • Social Media Users More Critical of Democracy as a Form of Government
  • Heavy Social Media Users Stray From Democratic Norms

They conclude…

These results suggest that social media may reinforce public beliefs that citizens’ voices matter and their actions can shape the nation’s direction. Heavier users, in particular, express stronger feelings of being represented in government decision-making and more confidence in the effectiveness of core civic actions, from peaceful protests to political campaigning.

Yet this greater sense of empowerment exists alongside signs that heavy social media use is associated with lessened support for foundational democratic principles and even the belief that democracy is the best form of government. Taken together, these findings suggest that social media use may play an increasingly complex role in the health of U.S. democracy.

St. Louis County names new development director with experience in broadband expansion

Posted on by
Reply

The Duluth News Tribune report on a new St Louis County Development Director, interesting here because of his experience with broadband…

 St. Louis County has drawn from its own bench in picking the next director to lead its economic and community development department.

Brad Gustafson has worked for the county since 2019, most recently as planning manager for the community development division. In that role, a county news release says he led the county Housing and Redevelopment Authority, helped orchestrate Community Development Block Grant efforts, worked to expand broadband data service access and coordinated an incentive program to promote the shooting of films in the Northland.

Six Reasons Americans Should Care About the Privacy and Security of Their Personal Data Held by the Government

Posted on by
Reply

The Center for Technology and Democracy has published a flier on Six Reasons Americans Should Care About the Privacy and Security of Their Personal Data Held by the Government.

The privacy and security of government data can seem abstract and disconnected from our everyday lives. But Center for Democracy & Technology polling results reveal that these issues resonate deeply for millions of Americans and cut across partisan, racial, and regional divides — 74 percent of Americans worry about the personal data that the government has about them. Protecting the privacy and security of personal data held by the government:

Here’s an abridged list of their six reasons:

  1. Limits government surveillance and discrimination by enforcing strong privacy protections. Government agencies are unique in both the extent and sensitivity of the personal data they collect and the power they could wield by using this information. As a result, the United States has several long-standing privacy protections that are aimed at limiting the federal government’s ability to collect, share, and consolidate personal data.
  2. Supports rightful access to public benefits and services by preserving trust in government. A core function of many government agencies is to deliver services and benefits to the American public, part of which entails identifying and removing barriers to accessing these services and benefits. Failing to protect personal data or using it for purposes beyond program administration can result in fewer people accessing benefits and services to which they are legally entitled, resulting in an American public that is more sick, less educated, unhoused, and undernourished, among other negative societal outcomes.
  3. Prevents identity theft and saves taxpayer money by minimizing risks of potential data breaches and other misuses of data.
  4. Enables trust in government agencies to safely use and handle personal data.
  5. Limits government power by safeguarding information from federal overreach.
  6. Maintains individual autonomy by preserving people’s control over their own information. The U.S. Constitution emphasizes the importance of privacy from government intrusion, demonstrating that this country was founded on the basis of protecting individuals from undue government encroachment.

MN students involved with promoting media literacy at the Legislature SF2565

Posted on by
Reply

MinnPost reports on a mash up of students involved with civic and technology, specifically students speaking to the legislature about media literacy…

On March 2, [student, Mary] Jensen spoke to lawmakers in support of a proposal to create a “Minnesota Civic Seal,” a graduation credential for students who receive civics instruction in five areas, including media literacy. Students will be expected to complete a community-centered project and reflect on its “measurable civic impact.”

Before she was familiarized with the seal, Jensen experienced the intersection of technology and civics firsthand.

For Jensen, using her voice to advocate had “always been a part of her personality,” but she said there were limited opportunities for civic engagement at her private school, Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul.

Jensen speaks about youth and social media…

While social media connected Jensen with civic engagement opportunities, her peers were preoccupied with misinformation and cyberbullying.

“A lot of the time people are like, ‘I read this source that said this,’ but that source is just a short Tiktok video clip that they saw,” Jensen said. “And it’s like, ‘You didn’t proofread this. You did not evaluate if the source was correct.’”

She added that problems occur when students don’t apply traditional fact-checking strategies to social media contexts: “if you do [get your news from social media], you should vet that source, too.”

National polling data supports Jensen’s concerns around digital media literacy. Ninety-four percent of teens believe their schools should be required to teach media literacy, according to a 2024 News Literacy Project study. The study also found that only about 40% of teens reported any media literacy instruction.

The article goes on to talk about the specific legislation and how it combines technology and civics in one program…

Sen. Mary Kunesh, DFL-New Brighton, said several media literacy bills in previous years have stalled because of funding concerns. The Civic Seal proposal attempts to address that issue by having the program administered through the YMCA Center for Youth Voice.

The Center will lead the Civic Seal Task Force that the bill proposes, which is composed of students and professionals who will review the Civic Seal guidelines.

With the help of Mike Dean, YMCA Center for Youth Voice director, Jensen and other students created a progress and validity tracking app for Civic Seal participants.

EVENT April 29: MN Broadband Summit!

Posted on by
Reply

From the Office of Broadband Development…

Register for the Broadband Summit!

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Office of Broadband Development invites you to attend the Connecting One: Minnesota 2026 Broadband Summit on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.

This in-person event will bring together national leaders, internet service providers, federal, state, tribal, and local partners, along with broadband advocates from across Minnesota. Together, we’ll explore how connecting people to resources, information, and each other supports Minnesota’s economic strength and expands digital opportunity statewide.

The summit will begin at 8:30 a.m. with registration, coffee, and a light breakfast, and will conclude at 4:00 p.m. The day will feature:

  • An opening welcome from DEED and State leadership
  • A networking lunch
  • Breakout sessions covering key topics such as BEAD implementation, mapping, digital skills and security, and permitting

Session Spotlight: Regional Leadership in Action

Join a fireside conversation with broadband leaders from Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan as they share how they are navigating BEAD implementation and other federal investments. This discussion will explore common challenges such as workforce, permitting, affordability, and infrastructure, while highlighting how states collaborate across the Upper Midwest to expand broadband access.

Attendees will gain valuable insights into state leadership, regional coordination, and what lies ahead as broadband efforts move from planning to execution.

Moderator: Kathryn de Wit, The Pew Charitable Trusts
Speakers: Eric Frederick (Michigan), Alyssa Kenney (Wisconsin), Bree Maki (Minnesota)

Register and Learn More:

A small $20 registration fee helps offset catering and conference costs. View the full agenda, explore all sessions and topics, and register today to secure your spot. Full speaker information and session details will be updated on a rolling basis on our website.

With high demand expected, we recommend registering early to secure your spot. 

 We look forward to seeing you on April 29, 2026

Register Here

Event center details

Connecting One Minnesota: 2026 Broadband Summit will be held at the Heritage Center of Brooklyn Center (6155 Earle Brown Drive, Brooklyn Center, MN 55434).  

Free parking will be available at the venue.  

2025 MN Legislative Review: MN approved $50 million for deployment grants

Posted on by
Reply

The Journalist Resource reports on state legislature’s invest in broadband (from 2025) in the aggregate…

Combined, states passed over 160 broadband-related bills and resolutions last year. These included regulatory changes, expanding the authority of their broadband offices and addressing internet affordability for low-income customers.

And specific states…

The Minnesota state legislature also approved $50 million for deployment grants in 2025. Minnesota has operated a state broadband expansion program since 2014 and the state has awarded over $400 million, funding broadband connections to nearly 120,000 homes and businesses.

Some members of the Supreme Court have concerns about knowledge of the internet

Posted on by
Reply

Vox reports…

The Supreme Court tossed out a billion-dollar verdict against an internet service provider (ISP) on Wednesday, in a closely watched case that could have severely damaged many Americans’ access to the internet if it had gone the other way.

Wednesday’s decision in Cox Communications v. Sony Music Entertainment is part of a broader pattern. It is one of a handful of recent Supreme Court cases that threatened to break the internet — or, at least, to fundamentally harm its ability to function as it has for decades. In each case, the justices took a cautious and libertarian approach. And they’ve often done so by lopsided margins. All nine justices joined the result in Cox, although Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson criticized some of the nuances of Justice Clarence Thomas’s majority opinion.

Some members of the Court have said explicitly that this wary approach stems from a fear that they do not understand the internet well enough to oversee it. As Justice Elena Kagan said in a 2022 oral argument, “we really don’t know about these things. You know, these are not like the nine greatest experts on the internet.”

It’s worth reading the whole article. It’s an example of how the internet touches everything and everything touches the internet. The folks who are making decisions – about regulation but also about financing or use, both for the howl community or just themselves, their families or even their classrooms – are not necessarily the greatest experts on the internet.

Paul Bunyan Communications broadband expansion projects estimated at almost $8 million

Posted on by
Reply

The Timbeyjay reports on expansion of broadband in Northen Minnesota…

Paul Bunyan Communications is planning a significant expansion of its all-fiber optic network in parts of St. Louis and Itasca counties this year, bringing high-speed broadband service to more than 600 homes and businesses across five townships near Cook.
The project will extend the cooperative’s GigaZone network into areas south and west of Cook, including portions of Alango, Carpenter, Field, and Sturgeon townships, along with an unorganized township east of Carpenter.

I wrote about the expansions earlier, the Timberjay takes a look funding…

The total cost is estimated at $7,810,355, with funding coming from a combination of state, regional, local, and cooperative sources.
The largest share of funding, $3,924,157, is being provided through the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development’s Low-Density Population Broadband Infrastructure Development Grant Program. Paul Bunyan Communications is contributing $2,203,928 toward the project.
Additional support includes $1,000,000 from Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation, $583,250 from St. Louis County, and smaller contributions from local townships, including $41,200 from Alango Township, $17,800 from Field Township, and $40,000 from Sturgeon Township.

And a look at the larger industry and funding…

These local expansions are taking place amid broader policy changes that could shape the future of broadband deployment across the state.
Federal changes to broadband funding rules are influencing how projects are selected in Minnesota. Updated guidance issued in 2025 by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration shifted the BEAD program toward a more “technology-neutral” approach, requiring states to consider a mix of fiber, fixed wireless, and satellite options when awarding funds, rather than prioritizing fiber by default.
Minnesota’s approved BEAD plan reflects that shift, with state officials anticipating a combination of technologies to reach unserved areas, particularly in remote locations where fiber deployment is more costly. Analysts say the policy change has already begun to affect outcomes, with fiber accounting for a smaller share of proposed or funded projects than originally expected and more funding directed toward wireless and satellite options. The Minnesota Office of Broadband Development, which is overseeing roughly $652 million in federal funding, continues to work through how those federal requirements will shape final project selections and the pace of expansion across rural parts of the state.
At the same time, the shift has raised ongoing questions about long-term performance differences between technologies. Fiber networks like Paul Bunyan Communications’ GigaZone are capable of speeds up to 10 gigabits per second, far exceeding federal minimum broadband standards, while satellite-based services such as Starlink typically deliver speeds closer to 250 megabits per second, according to federal and industry data, a gap that can affect reliability, latency, and long-term scalability for users.

Four Ideas to Help BEAD Succeed – from Benton Institute for Broadband & Society

Posted on by
Reply

So many change with BEAD over the years, the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society (or John Windhausen, Jr via Benton) has some suggestions…

Congress created the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program in 2021 “to bridge the digital divide.”[1] The National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s own program materials say BEAD “aims to connect every American to high-speed internet” through infrastructure partnerships.[2] That is an important mission, and one that still enjoys broad support.

Operating the program, however, has been challenging, due to rule changes, difficulties identifying unserved and underserved locations, and questions about the capabilities of competing technologies.

I am abbreviating his recommendations…

1. Keep BEAD Focused on Broadband.

The Biden-era BEAD framework attached a series of requirements that were not clearly rooted in the statute, such as labor and climate control measures.[5]  NTIA’s 2025 Restructuring Policy Notice eliminated these “extralegal labor, employment, and workforce development requirements”.[6]

But the Trump Administration risks repeating the same mistake in a different form.

2. Provide LEO Satellite Support for Broadband Adoption, Not Deployment.

Under NTIA’s “Benefit of the Bargain” bidding program, states awarded over 20 percent of “deployment” funding to low-earth orbiting (LEO) satellite services.[8]  This is illogical; the satellite companies are already deploying thousands of satellites without government funding.  Providing these companies with “deployment” funding will not yield any additional satellites and could be considered a waste of funds.

On the other hand, providing subsidies to cover the costs of satellite dish equipment and installation will help consumers afford to subscribe, which IS one of the BEAD program’s goals. This makes it a broadband adoption issue, not a deployment issue. States should be allowed to make non-deployment funding available to LEO satellite companies as customers sign up, rather than handing the LEO satellite providers a large up-front check.

3. Do Not Make Sustainability Harder Than It Already Is.

After the “Benefit of the Bargain” competitive bidding process was completed, NTIA adopted a relatively new rule regarding future federal support. In an October 2025 speech at the Hudson Institute, Assistant Secretary Arielle Roth said NTIA would require broadband awardees to certify that they would not “require or take additional federal subsidies—including operational subsidies—to complete or operate their BEAD projects.”[9] That policy was later codified into Term 51 of the November 2025 BEAD General Terms and Conditions.  NTIA justified the rule on default-prevention grounds, arguing that reliance on speculative future funding increases the risk that a project will fail.[10]

The concern is legitimate, but the flat prohibition on additional federal funding may overshoot.

4. Allow States to Use Non-Deployment Funds to Drive Adoption and Long-Term Viability.

Finally, if NTIA wants BEAD-funded networks to last, it should pay closer attention to adoption. NTIA’s own BroadbandUSA homepage describes BEAD as a program supporting broadband “deployment, mapping, and adoption,” not deployment alone. In the February 2026 listening sessions on the use of BEAD savings, the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society reported that broadband adoption was the dominant theme, with speakers repeatedly urging NTIA to support affordability, devices, and digital skills alongside network construction.[11]

New MN Bill: End the state’s tax exemption for digital advertising, sales and services HF4343

Posted on by
Reply

The Minnesota House reports…

Once upon a time, the main place you’d find advertising was in a newspaper. But then billboards became ubiquitous, followed by commercials on radio, then television. Today, it’s an inescapable element of your online experience.

But did you know that no taxes are collected when digital ads are bought in Minnesota? Nor are they for billboards. Sponsored by Rep. Liz Lee (DFL-St. Paul), HF4343 would end the state’s tax exemption for digital advertising, sales and services, and do the same for billboards. And it would lower the state’s sales tax rate by 0.125%.

On Wednesday, the House Taxes Committee laid the bill over, as amended, for possible omnibus bill inclusion.

They looked at

 HF4343 would end the state’s tax exemption for digital advertising, sales and services, and do the same for billboards. And it would lower the state’s sales tax rate by 0.125%.

 

Fiber cables help understand modern farming in a surprising way

Posted on by
Reply

For folks who like a deep dive, Grist outlines an unexpected benefit of fiber to the farm…

Fiber optic cables, of all things, have now exposed just how badly tilling messes with a farm’s ability to retain moisture. Using a technology known as distributed acoustic sensing, or DAS, scientists analyzed how seismic waves disturbed the cable as they rippled through harrowed fields compared to adjacent undisturbed plots. This created subtly distinct signals, showing that plowing obliterates the “capillaries” that carry water like tiny interconnected reservoirs.

The findings point to a serious problem with modern agriculture, to be sure, but also to solutions. “Regenerative farming practices based on principles of no-till — combined with cover crops and a diversity of crops — can basically lead to less agrochemical reliance, better soil organic matter contents, comparable yields, [and] lower diesel use,” said David Montgomery, a geomorphologist at the University of Washington and coauthor of a new paper describing the research.

MN Bill Introduced: Requirements for social media platforms related to accounts for minors established HF4138

Posted on by
Reply

From the MN House…

Commerce Finance and Policy

Co-Chairs: Rep. Tim O’Driscoll (holds gavel), Rep. Erin Koegel
Meeting:

Thursday, March 26, 2026

8:15 AM

Capitol 120

HF 4138 (Scott) Requirements for social media platforms related to accounts for minors established, and enforcement mechanisms for regulations on child social media accounts established.

And documents for meeting:

HF4138 (Scott) – Requirements for social media platforms related to accounts for minors established, and enforcement mechanisms for regulations on child social media accounts established.

MN OBD Update Mar 25: Conference Registration is open and training starts soon

Posted on by
Reply

From the Office of Broadband Development…

Broadband Matters: Office of Broadband Development Updates

  • Register today! April 29, Connecting One: Minnesota 2026 Broadband Summit
  • Virtual Broadband Development Training Series, starts Thursday April 2
  • Line Extension Connection Program
  • Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) in Minnesota
  • DEED Blog: An introduction to the Minnesota Broadband Charter

Thank you to the Hmong American Partnership (HAP) and Comcast for inviting OBD to join Mayor Her of Saint Paul, along with other state and local elected officials, to participate in touring HAP’s newly renovated Lift Zone and learning how the Lift Zone continues to advance connectivity, learning, and opportunity for residents through expanding digital access, enhancing technology resources, and creating refreshed community spaces that support digital equity initiatives and emerging telehealth efforts.

Register today! April 29, Connecting One: Minnesota 2026 Broadband Summit

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Office of Broadband Development is hosting the Connecting One: Minnesota 2026 Broadband Summit on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. This in-person event will bring together national leaders, internet service providers, federal, state, tribal, and local government partners, and broadband advocates from across Minnesota. Connecting people to resources, information, and each other is critical to Minnesota’s economic stability and digital opportunity.

The summit will be held at the Heritage Center of Brooklyn Center (6155 Earle Brown Drive, Brooklyn Center, MN 55434).

We are committed to providing equal access to this conference for all participants. If you need alternative formats or other reasonable accommodations, please contact mndeedevents@state.mn.us by the close of business on Friday, April 17, 2026.

Virtual Broadband Development Training Series, starts Thursday April 2

OBD has been working alongside other state agencies on streamlining environmental reviews and permitting efforts for broadband infrastructure projects across Minnesota. Originally held in 2024, this April, OBD and state agency partners will offer four new webinar sessions through a revised Broadband Development Training Series: Navigating PLUS (Permitting, Land Use, and State Systems).

The April 2 session will feature the Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) and provide an overview of DLI’s involvement with the Safety-Qualified Underground Telecommunications Installer Certification Program.

This session will be recorded and shared on the OBD Webinars and Recorded Events webpage.

Line Extension Connection Program

Registration remains open for residents and businesses for future rounds of the Line Extension Connection Program. More information and the registration page are available on the Line Extension Connection Program webpage.

For assistance completing the application or to request a paper form to complete, please call 651-259-7610 or email DEED.broadband@state.mn.us.

Outreach materials on registration were mailed to over 61,000 locations in the past week. OBD expects to run a fifth round of Line Extension with state project funds in Spring 2026 and is currently in the process of rolling out awards and getting confirmation of award acceptance from providers for Round 4. Preliminary awards have been published to the Line Extension Connection Program webpage.

Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) in Minnesota

OBD continues to update the OBD BEAD webpage as resources are made available. New resources have been added on environmental permitting and the National Environmental Permitting Policy (NEPA) including:

DEED Blog: An introduction to the Minnesota Broadband Charter

“The Broadband Charter has become a vital forum for collaboration among state agencies, enabling streamlined permitting processes and improved communication while respecting each agency’s mission. By adding dedicated capacity and fostering partnerships at both state and federal levels, OBD and the Charter are ensuring that broadband infrastructure can be deployed efficiently and effectively – bringing reliable connectivity to every corner of the state.”

Read the full story on the DEED Developments Blog.

MinnPost gives a current overview of Data Center issues at the MN Legislature

Posted on by
Reply

MinnPost reports…

A coalition of Minnesotans opposed to the development of data centers has a wishlist for the current legislative session with a hierarchy of priorities.

Banning local officials from signing non-disclosure agreements, or NDAs, would be nice, they say. Ditto for requiring public hearings and disclosures prior to the approval of data center permits.

What the group wants above all, though, is a moratorium on proposed projects in Hermantown, Pine Island, Monticello, Farmington, North Mankato and other cities.

“We’re begging, urging the state to pause,” said Rebecca Gilbertson, who lives about a half-mile from a planned Google data center in Hermantown.

There’s a discussion about NDAs…

NDAs are common tools — too common in the eyes of those advocating against them — used in economic development. They allow plans to simmer behind the scenes before any public scrutiny can boil over at public meetings. The normalization of NDAs prompted a St. Louis County commissioner to propose a ban on them last year.

Business groups, however, argue that NDA bans would stymie development.

“Without some level of confidentiality during those early conversations, companies may be unwilling to explore potential projects in Minnesota while evaluating investments across multiple states or competing communities within the same region,” wrote a group of economic organizations in a letter submitted to the Legislature.

And discussion on proposed moratorium on data centers…

A moratorium bill introduced by Sen. Jennifer McEwen, DFL-Duluth, would halt local permits for data centers until the state’s Public Utilities Commission submits a report  to the Legislature on energy usage, water usage and other impacts. The bill would delay development until at least a year after the report’s submission, theoretically pushing back local approvals into 2029.