DEED Awards More Than $2.5 Million in Grants to Minnesota Colleges and Universities for Employer Workforce Development Projects

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DEED announces…

Today, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced 14 workforce developments grants totaling over $2.5 million to eight Minnesota educational institutions that are partnering with Minnesota businesses to develop and deliver customized workforce training programs. Grantees expect to train more than 2,000 workers through these programs.

“Workforce training programs strengthen Minnesota’s economy by helping workers build their skills and lay the foundations for long-term success for businesses and Minnesota families. By creating a pool of trained program graduates, we can connect highly-skilled workers to careers in high-demand fields with family sustaining wages,” said DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek. “Minnesota’s higher education institutions are essential partners in that work, with proven track records in delivering effective, customized training programs for Minnesota businesses.”

Participating businesses must partner with an accredited educational institution for these Minnesota Jobs Skills Partnership (MJSP) grants, awarded to the educational institution to develop and deliver custom training for the business. Programming covered by the grants includes onboarding and training new workers, upskilling current workers, promoting workforce diversity, defining career pathways, developing communication and leadership skills, and more.

Since 2019, MJSP has awarded $47.5 million to train more than 47,000 workers and has leveraged $79.1 million in private funding.

Grants announced today include:

$466,977 to Normandale Community College for a partnership with Seagate Technology

Seagate Technology, with operations in Bloomington and Shakopee, is the world’s leading supplier of hard disk drives. Seagate will invest in a training program that will reduce turnover, mitigate the impact of retirements and create pathways for advancement at all levels. Normandale Community College will develop a training program for incumbent employees focusing on building skills in four areas: leadership and supervisor excellence, applied problem solving, operational excellence and improvement and data, automation and emerging technology skills. Participants completing the courses in operational excellence and improvement will be eligible to take the Manufacturing Skills Standards Council (MSSC) exam to become Certified Production Technicians.

$432,869 to the University of Minnesota for a partnership with Boston Scientific

Boston Scientific, a leading global medical technology company, needs to equip employees with AI-related and digital skills by integrating these capabilities into existing roles and prioritizing workforce retention. A partnership with Carlson School of Management will develop the AI Demystification Initiative, a three-part leadership development and business impact program designed to build strategic AI and analytics capability. The initiative consists of three integrated components: AI Project, Strategic Implementation and AI Operational Execution. Instruction will be delivered in classrooms, hands-on AI labs and structured faculty coaching. Upon completion, engineers and leadership will receive a certificate from Carlson Executive Education.

$357,637 to Hennepin Technical College for a partnership with Medtronic

Medtronic is a Minnesota-based global leader in healthcare technology. Medical device manufacturing is undergoing rapid automation and technological advancements, resulting in a growing skills gap in equipment maintenance for complex advanced robotic and automated systems. Hennepin Technical College will develop and deliver comprehensive automation robotics training to incumbent employees. Courses will include Automation Controls, Industrial Electricity and Electronics, Introduction to Robotics, Fuji Automatic Numerical Control (FANUC) and Fluid Power Motion Control and be fully or partially aligned with industry-recognized certification exams.

$300,000 to Century College for a partnership with Aprios

Aprios, headquartered in Brooklyn Park, is an employee-owned custom manufacturing company specializing in high-precision plastic injection molding and additive manufacturing. The company serves medical devices, industrial, filtration and aerospace markets. Century College will create a training program that will develop technical, operational and leadership capabilities across the organization. Classroom instruction will be combined with applied, workplace-based learning, incorporating theory, case studies, guided exercises and hands-on experience within Aprios’ manufacturing environment.

$260,000 to Normandale Community College for a partnership with Advanced Web Technologies

Advanced Web Technologies (AWT), headquartered in Minneapolis, specializes in custom labeling, packaging and precision converting solutions. AWT will partner with Normandale Community College to develop a scalable, equitable and sustainable training program to support the increasing complexity of the production, administration, supervisory and leadership roles of its workforce. Training will be delivered on-site through instructor-led sessions, cohort-based learning and applied, scenario-based exercises. Upon completion, trainees will receive Lean Six Sigma Certifications.

$200,000 to Hennepin Technical College for a partnership with Heliene USA

Heliene USA is a lead producer of solar photovoltaic modules with high-capacity manufacturing facilities located in Mountain Iron and Rogers. Heliene will partner with Hennepin Technical College and Minnesota North College to create a course to invest in consistent education and skill development at their facilities. The course will ensure all entry-level and existing employees have sufficient background to support growing production and troubleshooting needs, integrate safe, efficient and quality practices across all functions, and develop a minimum level of cross-functional knowledge. Training completion will result in hours-based certificates for each skill area with opportunities for credit-for-prior learning transfer for both colleges.

$135,626 to St. Cloud State University for a partnership with Park Industries

Park Industries, headquartered in St. Cloud, is a leading manufacturer of stone fabrication machinery. Park Industries wants to build a comprehensive, scalable workforce development system that expands training capacity, advances leadership capability, strengthens customer-facing effectiveness, and enhances workplace culture and safety. St. Cloud State University will develop a two-track training program consisting of Track One: Organizational & Workforce Development and Track Two: Sales & Customer Facing Excellence. All courses will be delivered in-person or online with interactive, scenario-based instruction and hands-on practice. Track One participants will earn industry-recognized HubSpot CRM and SMEI certifications.

$130,000 to Century College for a partnership with J&B Group

J&B Group, located in St. Michael, is a family-owned and operated cold chain provider of protein and deli products for a variety of supply chain needs. J&B wants to invest in a comprehensive, multi-phase leadership development strategy to address a skills gap in leadership competencies. The company will partner with Century College to develop a two-phased development and change capability initiative. Phase One: Accelerate Leadership Development Program will consist of instructor-led workshops focused on foundational leadership behaviors. Phase Two: Advanced Leadership Development & Succession readiness will focus on deepening leadership capability through the Leadership Mentoring Program, Self-Awareness & Leadership Assessments and ExperienceChange Simulation for hands-on practice in navigating realistic change scenarios.

$49,997 to Hennepin Technical College for a partnership with La Machine Shop

La Machine Shop, located in Ham Lake, is a family owned and operated precision machining contract manufacturer services. La Machine Shop is preparing to operate in a more regulated, defense-ready operating environment and needs to train its incumbent workforce for the transition. Hennepin Technical College will design a 38-hour training program with nine modules covering secure handling of controlled technical information, enclave-user workflows, paper CUI procedures, cybersecurity awareness, approved communication and subcontractor transfer practices, incident recognition and escalation, supervisor accountability and internal sustainment. Instruction will be delivered using a blended approach, including workshops, small groups, awareness-based instruction and scenario-based exercises.

$49,963 to Anoka-Ramsey Community College for a partnership with MRG Tool & Die

MRG Tool & Die is a family-owned small business in Faribault operating as a sole-source tool and die company specializing in close-tolerance metalworking. MRG wants to provide AI readiness training to transition its workforce and support effective integration of AI into core business operations. Anoka-Ramsey Community College, in partnership with MRG, will develop a twelve-month training program consisting of five courses totaling 40 hours of in-person instruction. Training will focus on building AI literacy across all occupational levels while piloting AI-driven projects that address specific business challenges.

$49,794 to Anoka-Ramsey Community College for a partnership with Mate Precision

Located in Anoka, Mate Precision Technologies specializes in work holding tooling devices and technologies for machinery, computers, peripherals, networking and electronic equipment industries. Mate wants to invest in workforce training to adopt, apply and integrate next-generation technologies within manufacturing processes and functions, including AI- and IT-based data analytics. Anoka-Ramsey Community College will develop a four-course training program totaling 44 training hours to be delivered in-person and on-site over a twelve-month period. Current employees will be selected for training from technical trades and manufacturing occupations.

$49,625 to Anoka-Ramsey Community College for a partnership with PE Services

PE Services, located in Eagan, delivers comprehensive civil engineering and construction services, including design and plan preparation, specification and plan review, construction oversight, and schedule analysis. The company also provides robust contract administration, project controls, and environmental compliance support. PE Services needs to train its workforce in AI as the company adopts AI-based tools to improve operational performance. In partnership with PE Services, Anoka-Ramsey Community College will develop a five-course training program totaling 48 training hours to be delivered in-person and on-site over a twelve-month period.

$49,000 to MN State Community & Technical College for a partnership with Alexandria Industries

Alexandria Industries designs and manufactures precision aluminum components. Partnering with Alexandria Industries, MN State Community & Technical college will provide customized training consisting of a 30-hour Serving Through Leadership Program for current and emerging leaders and a 15-hour Professional Development Program for employees across the organization. Training will strengthen leadership effectiveness, employee engagement, communication, professional development and organization culture, and be delivered through self-assessments, group discussions, reflection activities, team exercises, coaching conversations and real-world workplace applications. Participants completing training will receive certificates of completion.

$40,000 to Minnesota State University, Mankato for a partnership with Capstone

Capstone, headquartered in North Mankato, is an industry-leading publisher of children’s books and digital content provider for children and young adults. Capstone has identified AI as a key opportunity for increasing productivity, reducing manual work and accelerating workflows. MN State University, Mankato will provide AI training in two online courses: Foundations of AI Intelligence, 1.5 hours of interactive virtual delivery of key topics including ethical considerations, company policy and how to generate accurate and useful outputs, and Applied AI for Role- and Department-Specific Workflows, four hours of hands-on, role-specific training for integrating AI into daily workflows in content development, research, data analysis and communication.

Intermountain Infrastructure Group (IIG) is building 250 miles of fiber in MN then expanding westward

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Stevens County Times reports...

Through the summer, crews working for Anderson Underground of Sauk Rapids have been installing four large conduits along Minnesota Highway 9 through Grant, Stevens, and Swift counties. They have also been working in the cities along the path.

Installation of the fiber conduit has raised a lot of questions about who is doing it and why. Many conversations have revolved around the conduit serving data centers that could be planned in the region.

Others say the project is part of the Heartland Fiber Project, a $700 million fiber-optic cable project that would run from Chicago through Minnesota to Montana and Wyoming.

After some research, the Stevens County Times learned that Billings, MT-based Intermountain Infrastructure Group (IIG) is behind the project.

“In Minnesota, IIG is installing about 250 miles of new fiber-optic cable to create a middle-mile network,” Brandon Coates, a spokesman for the company, told the Times in an email.

More details…

In October, the Minnesota Department of Transportation district office in Detroit Lakes prepared a permit for IIG to bury a fiber optic conduit along Minnesota Highway 9.

It is installing three high-density polyethylene (HDPE) conduits that are 2 inches in diameter, and one that is 2 inches in diameter with seven microfiber cables inside. The other conduits are empty.  The permit says that “One 432 Ct fiber will be placed in a 2” conduit, and another 432 Ct micro fiber will be placed in the 7-way.”

Coates was also very specific that the project has no link to data center construction that serves the exploding needs of the artificial intelligence industry.

Xcel explains cost protections, grid reliability as Monticello council presses for answers about proposed data center

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Monticello Times reports…

Will a massive data center drive up residents’ electric bills? Could its demand for power threaten reliability? And if electricity becomes scarce, who gets priority?

Those were among questions City Council members put to Xcel Energy representatives Oct. 12 during a special meeting examining the potential effects of the proposed data center development.

Xcel officials said state regulations and recently approved customer protections are designed to prevent large electricity users from shifting their costs to existing customers. They also emphasized projects of this size generally require new power generation and extensive infrastructure planning.

But while the utility sought to reassure council members, questions remained about the proposed Monticello development, including how electricity would be allocated during a major grid emergency.

City Administrator Rachel Leonard said the discussion was arranged to address recurring concerns about the proposed Edmonson Business Center campus south of 85th Street NE and east of Highway 25.

Other questions included:

  • Who pays for the power?
  • Does more demand mean more generation?
  • What happens during an emergency?
  • Could data centers lower electric bills?

The conversation (and study) is not completed…

Although Xcel officials discussed how large data centers are generally served, the electrical requirements for Monticello’s proposed development have not been finalized.

Andre said the project is in the facility study stage, which Xcel expects to complete by the end of 2026. The study will produce preliminary estimates of necessary infrastructure, costs and timelines.

Council member Charlotte Gabler questioned how Xcel could plan for the project when its eventual end user has not been publicly identified.

Andre explained that the utility begins with anticipated electricity demand supplied by the developer, using factors such as acreage, building plans, zoning requirements and experience with similar projects.

EVENT Nov 17: Brown County’s Board of Commissioners to talk about data centers

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The New Ulm Journal reports…

Brown County’s Board of Commissioners set a public hearing date of Nov. 17 at 9:02 a.m. to establish an interim ordinance that would put a moratorium on permitting, expanding, or establishing data centers in Brown County’s unincorporated areas.

The moratorium would place a one-year block of any data centers looking to be established in Brown County.

Commissioner Anton Berg said the meeting is not about whether people are in favor of data centers or not, but rather to establish documented plans for navigating any potential approaches regarding data centers in Brown County.

Brown County Administrator Sam Hasen said that because of the recent progressions in data centers, there are not many state statutes that address navigation of data center development.

“I think this is a good idea to put the brakes on for a minute and catch your breath and get ourselves lined up the way we should be,” Hansen said.

The board draft ordinance reads: “data centers are an emerging land use with significant impacts related to energy, demand, water consumption, noise, heat generation, stormwater management, and land use compatibility.”

Public hearing and documented plans would allow the board to better understand data center impacts specific to Brown County.

EVENT Nov 18: Faribault Council chats about data center ordinances (Rice County)

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Faribault Daily News reports...

Please plan to join us at Faribault Public Works (1200 Belview Trail) on Nov. 18 at 6 p.m. for a timely discussion about data center ordinances.

This Council Chat provides an opportunity for the public to interact with the City Council and City staff regarding the various proposed data center-related ordinances. Staff will have various stations focusing on key ordinances, such as land use, water and sewer, noise, lighting and other ordinances of interest. The public will gain a better understanding of the intent of the ordinances and why the ordinances must be legally defensible and enforceable.

The city holds Council Chats every month to further its commitment to community engagement. These inclusive and welcoming opportunities are held at various facilities and times to help ensure residents can become involved in the City’s continued success.

To see a full schedule of upcoming Council Chats, visit www.faribaultmn.gov/749/council-chats

More details on Hermantown City Council’s agreement for Googles proposed data center (St Louis County)

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WDIO reports…

The Hermantown City Council reviewed updates on the first-of-its-kind adaptive reuse and decommissioning framework for the proposed Google data center. Backed by a $210 million parent-company guarantee, the 50-year framework requires Google to restore the site if operations halt or tax payments lapse.

Explaining the financial backing behind this deal, city staff noted: “Effectively, this is a parent-company guarantee. Google will be signatory to this. Google will be part of this agreement. The finances of Google will be on the line for this agreement. And as such, they’re obligating $210 million for this agreement. And this obligation will increase annually based on the Consumer Price Index…”
…
To protect neighbors, the agreement leaves Google strictly at fault for any private well damage, requiring them to cover all repairs or pay to connect affected homes to city water. City leaders also shared details on a voluntary program for neighbors living within a half mile of the site.

DEADLINE Oct 30: Applications are Open for Connectivity Policy Corps, Year 2!

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An invitation from NDIA and Public Knowledge – and if you follow up and get in, please let me know. I think it looks like a great program…

Have you ever wanted to learn more about digital inclusion policy, wanted to feel more comfortable reaching out to policymakers and sharing your story with them, or learning strategies to ensure digital inclusion is included in local, state, Tribal, or federal policies? If the answer to any of these questions is “Yes!” then we would LOVE for you to apply to join us in our second cohort of the Connectivity Policy Corps! Applications are live and open until October 30th at 11:59PM PST.

About the Connectivity Policy Corps:

The Connectivity Policy Corps (CPC) advances digital equity by elevating local expertise and storytelling into policy action that informs debates surrounding digital inclusion, broadband adoption, broadband affordability, and other digital inclusion and broadband policies and opportunities. Through Connectivity Policy Corps (CPC), the National Digital Inclusion Alliance and Public Knowledge equip a network of digital inclusion champions with the tools and expertise to lead digital inclusion policy advocacy at the local, state, Tribal and federal levels. CPC members engage policymakers and federal agencies and advocate through storytelling. By amplifying local voices, the CPC aims to foster collective power that advances digital equity in meaningful and measurable ways. Learn more about the 2026 CPC Cohort here.

 

How to apply for the 2027 CPC Member Cohort:

  • Applications are due by Friday, October 30th, 2026 at 11:59 PM PST
  • To apply for the 2027 CPC Cohort complete this form
  • Read our blogpost for more background information and information about the application
  • Email shauna@digitalinclusion.org with any questions about CPC or the application.
  • The cohort will include up to 12 cohort members for Year 2, and applicants will be notified of the status of their application by December 2026.

Minnesota School Boards Association (and others) comments on FCC efforts to reduce E-Rate

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The 74 shares comments from educators on proposed changes to E-Rate, including a comment from Minnesota…

The Trump administration’s plan to revise, or potentially discontinue, broadband discounts for schools and libraries is overwhelmingly unpopular, judging by the thousands of comments submitted since August.

Pleas from school administrators, librarians and education advocates to protect E-Rate represent the majority of the statements to the Federal Communications Commission. In June, Chairman Brendan Carr called for “right-sizing” the program and linked concerns about children’s excessive screen time to the 30-year-old program. But the education sector emphasizes that the funding supports not only instruction, but also systems like security, payroll and nutrition.

“Before a student even enters a classroom, E-Rate helps provide the network infrastructure that keeps Minnesota’s school districts running,” wrote Kimberley Dunn Lewis, associate director of government relations for the Minnesota School Boards Association. “When that connectivity is unavailable or unreliable, it can disrupt basic school operations and compromise districts’ ability to safely and effectively serve students.”

OBD Broadband Update Oct 21: Training, BEAD and Line Extension news

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From the MN Office of Broadband Development…

Broadband Matters: Office of Broadband Development Updates

  • Register today! Broadband Development Training Series: Navigating PLUS (Permitting, Land Use, and State Systems)
  • Line Extension Connection Program, Round 5 awards + registration open for residents and businesses
  • Governor’s Broadband Task Force, October meeting recap
  • Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) updates
  • Office of Pipeline Safety and State Safety Oversight:
    Statute and Update Review Meeting

Register today! Broadband Development Training Series: Navigating PLUS (Permitting, Land Use, and State Systems)

Thursday December 3, 10 a.m. CT, join OBD and the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in a new addition to the PLUS webinar series, Untangling Railroad Rights‑of‑Way Disputes in Minnesota. Michelle Rebholz, Supervisor of Economic Analysis (Energy and Telecom) Minnesota PUC, will provide an overview of railroad rights of way disputes in Minnesota and the Public Utilities Commission’s role in the process.

This session will be recorded and posted to the OBD Webinars and Recorded Events webpage.

Line Extension Connection Program, Round 5 awards + registration open for residents and businesses

The Office of Broadband Development awarded the fifth round of the Line Extension Connection Program in two tranches beginning on May 29, 2026. In total, this round has contracted $8,711,731.63 to expand wired broadband delivering at least 100 Mbps download and 100 Mbps upload to 1,137 locations across 29 counties. Internet providers carrying out the projects matched $2,316,415.93 for a total investment of $11,028,147.56.

Registration remains open for residents and businesses for future rounds of the Line Extension Connection Program. 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.

Round 5 award information will be available online soon. Currently, registration is available on the Line Extension Connection Program webpage.

Governor’s Broadband Task Force, October meeting recap

The Governor’s Broadband Task Force met Thursday October 8 in Isanti, Minnesota. Hosted by Midco, the Task Force learned about Midco’s service to 154 communities and toured a headend in Wyoming, Minnesota with Elly Boroughs (Government Relations Manager), Jason Sachs (Director Field Operations), and Andrew Curly (Vice President of Government Relations). Additionally, updates were shared from OBD’s Executive Director Bree Maki and the Task Force broke into subgroups to continue work on the annual report.

Information on upcoming and past meetings can be found on the Broadband Task Force webpage.

Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) updates

The majority of BEAD projects are awaiting scope change approvals through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Approvals to scope changes in Minnesota have been delayed due to a scheduled federal pause and are expected to go in front of the NTIA Committee later this week. OBD and BEAD recipients continue preparing contracting materials as able to ensure agreements can move forward as soon as federal review resumes. As OBD waits for more confirmation on a likely approval date, the Rebid locations are being updated on the map and OBD is evaluating running a Rebid Round 2 alongside the Benefit of the Bargain (BOB) 2 Round, which will not begin until updated Broadband Data Collection (BDC) data is released in November. Updates and resources can be found on the OBD BEAD webpage.

Please contact OBD at DEED.broadband@state.mn.us with questions on BEAD. 

On September 3, 2026, NTIA announced a new BEAD Supplemental Deployment Policy Notice that introduces an updated process for BEAD implementation of new locations determined to be eligible for BEAD. States await additional guidance from NTIA on timelines, and will provide further updates and resources as available to keep partners and providers informed. Currently, the estimated timeline (subject to change from NTIA) for a second BOB Round is:

Task

Duration
Initial review of the NTIA list 30 days
Publication window 7 days
Challenge period 30 days
Challenge adjudication 30 days
NTIA review of the list and set funding amount Duration TBA by NTIA
Second Benefit of the Bargain round 90 days
NTIA review of Supplemental Deployment Plan 90 days

Office of Pipeline Safety and State Safety Oversight:
Statute and Update Review Meeting

The Office of Pipeline Safety and the Office of State Safety Oversight is holding a webinar Friday, October 30, 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. CST. The webinar will focus on a review of current state statutes and areas for potential updates.

Tech Buzz calls data center project in Pine Island a possible case study (Goodhue County)

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The Tech Buzz reports...

Google’s plans to build an AI data center in Pine Island, Minnesota have sparked controversy, with the tech giant claiming the project will add clean energy to the grid and protect ratepayers. However, local residents and energy experts are raising concerns about whether the promised grid infrastructure upgrades are actually needed or if they primarily serve Google’s interests.

The article goes on to tell more about the project and ends with a broader perspective…

As Google moves forward with its Pine Island data center plans, the project serves as a test case for how communities and regulators evaluate Big Tech infrastructure proposals. The skepticism from experts and residents highlights the need for transparent analysis of who benefits from such developments and whether promised grid improvements serve public or private interests. The outcome in Minnesota may influence how similar projects are assessed in other communities facing data center proposals.

EVENT: St. Cloud advances data center ordinance, public hearing scheduled for Nov. 16 (Stearns County)

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St Cloud Live reports…

 The St. Cloud City Council agreed without opposition to set a public hearing on a new ordinance that would place restrictions on new hyperscale data centers during its meeting on Monday night, Oct. 19.

The ordinance, if approved, would require all data centers to use the city’s water system and be at least 1,320 feet away from abutting road right-of-ways and residential-zoned properties as measured from property line to property line. Permits for data centers would require land use compatibility and traffic impact study, noise and vibration study, environmental impact study, and community impacts study.

Proposed data centers would also need to come with a decommissioning plan and confirmation that the project would include sustainable strategies in its design, water use and energy use.

The hearing, scheduled for Nov. 16, would give the public the chance to offer input on the policy before the city makes a final vote on whether to approve the ordinance.

Data centers come up in MN Gubernatorial Debate

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The Minnesota Star Tribune reports...

Amy Klobuchar and Lisa Demuth offered competing visions for Minnesota’s economy on Monday, debating how to lower costs, stop fraud, attract businesses and regulate the fast-growing artificial intelligence industry.

Data centers were on the agenda…

Both candidates for governor said local communities should have the power to approve or stop data centers in their hometowns. Klobuchar and Demuth have similar positions on the issue, generally supporting the construction of these large projects and opposing substantial new state regulations.

Demuth noted that the Legislature in 2025 passed a bill when she was House speaker — led initially by DFLers — aimed at protecting the state’s climate goals and preventing energy bills from rising because of the cost of data centers.

Klobuchar said she would support further restrictions on the use of nondisclosure agreements by data center companies. A bill to ban those NDAs was voted down by Republicans in a House committee last year, and Klobuchar blamed Demuth for the measure not advancing. Since that vote, on the campaign trail, Demuth has also called for a ban on NDAs for data centers.

 

Broadband expansion comes up in City Council debates in Minnesota Senate District 15

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Marshall Radio reports...

DFL candidate Andrea Boettger and Republican candidate Braxton Seifert are offering contrasting priorities in the race for Minnesota Senate District 15, with affordability, education and government spending among the key issues.

One mentioned broadband expansion by name…

Her priorities include protecting local government aid, investing in rural emergency medical services and healthcare, expanding broadband access and improving housing affordability. She also called for stronger oversight of state spending and updated systems to help prevent fraud, saying the problem requires accountability from both parties.

Could data centers help supplement USF?

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Broadband Breakfast reports…

A federal broadband subsidy program under financial duress could get bailed out by AI-related companies, as policymakers consider making major users of broadband infrastructure contribute to universal service.

Universal service reform could expand the pool of companies that help finance broadband networks to include hyperscalers, cloud providers and other major users of internet infrastructure, according to former FCC officials and broadband advocates.

Pew looks broadly at mobile device use since 2000

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Pew Research reports…

Large shares of Americans are connected to the world of digital information while on the go via smartphones and other mobile devices. Explore the patterns and trends that have shaped the mobile revolution below.