Willmar City Council approves selling bonds for Phase 1 of Willmar Connect project

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KWLM 96.3 Lakeland Media reports…

The Willmar City Council this week approved issuing bonds for Phase 1 of the Willmar Connect broadband project. Phase 1 will involved laying fiber optic cable to every home and business south of Highway 12 and west of 1st Street, then leasing the cable to any company interested in providing internet service. The bond approved Tuesday is for 9.2 million dollars, and City Operations Director Kyle Box says the bond would be repaid through revenues generated by leasing the network to the internet service providers…

…Box says it is estimated the Willmar Connect project will not cash flow until after Phase Two is up and operating in a few years…

…Box says it is hoped the contractor can begin work on Phase One later this year.

Benton reports on the NTIA Broadband Non-Deployment Listening Sessions

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The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society report on the Non-Deployment Listening Sessions  hosted by National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)…

We’ve been…well, listening in to the listening sessions held by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) regarding the use of potential Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program non-deployment funds. This week, NTIA held its second session on the subject, which concluded just before the deadline for written input on what to do with non-deployment funding.

Between the two sessions, roughly 85 people were able to communicate their non-deployment ideas to NTIA staff. Broadband adoption (including affordable broadband, low-cost devices, and digital skills training) is the most supported use mentioned over both meetings. Here’s what speakers said during round two, and how it compares to the first session last week.

Here’s an interesting look at the range of topics…

The two non-deployment listening sessions contained a few recurring themes that steered the conversation amongst everyone who was able to speak. By our estimates, these key topics were mentioned by the speakers at the rates given below:

  1. Broadband Adoption: Affordability, Device Access & Digital Literacy  –  43 (times mentioned by speakers)

  2. Workforce Development –  22

  3. Broadband Affordability  – 13

  4. Regional/Local Flexibility – 13

  5. Permitting Reform – 12

  6. Middle Mile & AI infra – 12

  7. Public Safety & Emergency Response/911 – 9

  8. More Infrastructure – 7

  9. EdTech/Kids Safety – 7

  10. Return Funds to Treasury – 5

  11. Wireless infra – 5
  12. Mapping/Data Collection – 4
  13. Tribal broadband –  3
  14. Air Traffic Control – 1
  15. Radio Technology – 1

 

 

EVENT Feb 23: Office of Broadband Development presents at MN House Agriculture Finance and Policy

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From the MN House…

1:00 PM

Agriculture Finance and Policy

Calendar
Permalink
Location: Capitol G3
Co-Chair: Rep. Paul Anderson holds the gavel
Co-Chair: Rep. Rick Hansen

Agenda:

– Update from the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Office of Broadband Development
– HFXXXX (Anderson) Farm Downpayment Assistance Program Modifications (Pending introduction; Revisor number 26-06857)
– HFXXXX (Anderson) Restricting Grain Indemnity Account transfer for other purposes (Pending introduction; Revisor number 26-06622)
– HFXXXX (Nelson) Dairy Assistance, Investment, Relief Initiative (DAIRI) modification (Pending introduction; Revisor number 26-06826)

Committee Documents:

26-06857
26-06622
26-06826

EVENT March 26: Ignite Cup 2026 – Live Pitch Night in Red Wing MN

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An invitation for investors and entrepreneurs from Red Wing Ignite…

🔥 Ignite Cup 2026 – Live Pitch Night
Thursday, March 26 • 6:00–9:00pm • Red Wing, MN

Get ready for an electrifying evening of innovation, inspiration, and real-time business breakthroughs at the Ignite Cup—SE Minnesota’s premier pitch competition! This is your front-row seat to witness bold ideas come to life as local entrepreneurs and startup founders take the stage to pitch their ventures to a panel of expert judges.

Whether you’re a seasoned business builder, aspiring founder, investor, or community supporter, this event offers something for everyone:

✨ High-impact pitches from emerging companies across industries
🤝 Networking opportunities with innovators, mentors, and regional leaders
💡 Inspiration & insights into the next generation of ventures thriving in our region
🏆 Live competition — watch finalists compete for cash prizes, mentorship, community recognition, and even a seat in the statewide MN Cup competition.

Be there to cheer on the finalists, connect with driven entrepreneurs, and be part of a community that’s building the future of business in southeastern Minnesota. Don’t miss your chance to experience where creativity meets opportunity!

👉 Reserve your spot today and join us for an unforgettable night of innovation!

 

Worth sharing: That text or email about your “tax refund” is a scam

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I suspect that most readers are savvy about how technology can be used to scam folks, but a reminder never hurt and we all might know someone who could also use a reminder – or lesson. Here’s help from the FTC…

Tax season is approaching, and if you’re getting a refund, scammers are looking to steal it before you’ve had a chance to claim it. So, before you respond to a text or email about a “tax refund” — especially one that asks you to click a link — know that this could be a scam designed to get your personal information and steal your tax refund.

These scams often start with a text or email that looks like it’s from the IRS or a state tax office saying they’ve “processed” or “approved” your tax refund claim. (Note: that’s not how you find out about a real tax refund.) To “verify your identity” and “send you money,” they ask you to click a link to enter details like your Social Security and bank account numbers — but it’s a phishing scam. If you click and share your info, the scammer might steal your personal information to get your tax refund or even steal your identity to open other accounts.

If you get a message like this:

  • Know that the real IRS and state tax offices won’t reach out by text, email, or on social media to get your information. Only scammers will.
  • Don’t respond or click any links. To check the status of a pending tax refund, never use the link from the message. Instead, visit USA.gov to learn how to find out if you’re really getting a federal or state tax refund.
  • Report and delete the message. Use your phone’s “report junk” option or forward unwanted texts to 7726 (SPAM) and mark unwanted emails as spam or junk. Once you’ve checked it out and reported it, delete the message.

Visit IdentityTheft.gov/steps to learn how to protect yourself before identity theft happens. And if you spot a scam, tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Bois Forte Band in Northeastern MN Begins Construction on $20 Million Tribal Fiber Project

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The Institute for Local Self Reliance reports…

The Bois Forte Band of Chippewa (also referred to as Ojibwe) has officially begun construction on a foundational fiber optic broadband expansion project in northern Minnesota that is poised to bridge the digital divide for thousands of Tribal residents.

The ambitious undertaking is supported by a significant $20 million grant awarded under the 2021 Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program, marking a major step forward in modernizing infrastructure for the sovereign nation.

The massive project aims to overhaul the existing connectivity landscape across the Bois Forte Reservation.

Once completed, the new network will deliver a high-speed, future-proof up to 10 gigabit per second (Gbps) fiber-to-the-home network to over 2,097 largely-underserved Native American households, businesses, and community anchor institutions.

The article goes on to give a history and environmental scan for the project moving forward.

New MN Bill introduced: A bill for an act relating to data privacy HF3353

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I am going to try to at least track the bills that get introduced that are at all related to broadband and/or broadband use. I may not follow all closely. Click the bill number for more info and updates:

From the MN House:

Freiberg, Bahner and Moller introduced:

HF. 3353,A bill for an act relating to data privacy; expanding personal information protections for judicial officials to state legislators; creating a legislative task force to study personal information protections for government officials; requiring a report; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, sections 480.40, subdivision 1; 480.45, subdivision 2.

Office of Broadband Development speaks to MN Senate Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

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Today the Office of Broadband Development gave a presentation this afternoon to MN Senate Committee…

Wednesday, February 18th, 2026 03:00 PM
Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
Chair: Sen. Aric Putnam
Location: 1150 Minnesota Senate Bldg.

Agenda

Office of Broadband Development – Update on State Programs and BEAD

*Note I will change the video when it is archived, in the meantime, OBD starts about an hour into the video

Here are the questions:

  • 50 communities were telecommuter Forward? What is that?
    It’s a special designation that comes with some resources.
  • What’s up with satellite? I understand when the State invests in fiber but not so much satellite.
    The providers get paid by milestones. That does look different for LEO.
  • Does that mean we pay people’s bills?
    We’re paying for capacity. Not bills. NTIA defines LEOs as part of that infrastructure investment. It is a question people ask because technically everyone already has satellite.
  • What’s up with AI regulation and broadband funding?
    There are terms and conditions that we are working through with the legal team to ensure that we can deploy without fear of crossing the lines.
  • Is MN compliant with AI regulations for current Admin?
    NTIA have given themselves until March 11 to define “onerous AI” – we should know more after that.
  • Can people submit to Line Extension offline?
    We take applications by paper and phone.

The slides below can also be found in the PDF mentioned above. (I just think it’s easier to see here in graphic form.)

MN Broadband Task Force meeting Feb 2026: Rural Health Research and Technologist Computers

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The Broadband Task Force met today. Their stated goal is to focus on education in the first few months of the year. Today they heard from folks at the Mayo on rural health research and from a Task Force member Ini Augustine who does digital equity work in Hennepin County through Technologist Computers. They also got an update from the Office of Broadband Development.

Meeting Agenda Continue reading →

Hiawatha Broadband Communications to bring fiber to Southeast MN (Winona, Goodhue, Wabasha & Dakota Counties)

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TV News Check reports…

Hiawatha Broadband Communications (HBC) announced Tuesday it is expanding its multi-gig Flight Fiber internet service, offering symmetrical speeds of up to 5 Gig to residential and business customers across Southeast Minnesota.

The expansion makes HBC the only provider in the region capable of delivering such speeds, according to the company. The 2026 deployments are currently bringing multi-gig fiber to several communities, including Winona, Red Wing, Lake City, Farmington, Hastings and Empire.

The service, branded as Flight Fiber, provides symmetrical 2 Gig and 5 Gig options. The company said the increased capacity is designed to handle high-demand activities such as 4K streaming, online gaming, and large file transfers across multiple devices simultaneously.

EVENT Feb 18: Office of Broadband Development presents to MN Senate Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

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The Office of Broadband Development will give a presentation this afternoon to MN Senate Committee…

Wednesday, February 18th, 2026 03:00 PM
Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
Chair: Sen. Aric Putnam
Location: 1150 Minnesota Senate Bldg.

***Revision 4: Agenda change***

*Agenda items may be added or removed.

To submit documents or request testimony, email the Committee Administrator (nick.roth@mnsenate.gov) by 3:00 PM, Tuesday 2/17.

Late submissions may not be posted in advance of the hearing or included in prepared materials for committee members.

TESTIMONY: Include the bill number, your name, title and/or organization and whether your testimony will be in support or opposition.

Agenda

Minnesota Department of Agriculture – Agency Overview

Office of Broadband Development – Update on State Programs and BEAD

Best uses for BEAD Nondeployment funds Part 1: Meeting about Part 2 tomorrow (Fed 18)

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The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society reports on the results of NTIA’s first of two listening sessions on the “Use of BEAD Funds Saved Through the Trump Administration’s Benefit of the Bargain Reforms.” (The second sessions happens tomorrow, Feb 18.)…

As mandated by Congress in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, states and territories may use BEAD funds to make subgrants to:

  • Deploy broadband networks to unserved and underserved areas,
  • Connect community anchor institutions,
  • Conduct data collection, broadband mapping, and planning;
  • Install internet and Wi-Fi infrastructure or provide reduced-cost broadband within multifamily residential buildings; and
  • Increase broadband adoption, including programs to provide affordable internet-capable devices.

In addition, Congress authorized Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information Arielle Roth to determine additional uses of these funds to facilitate BEAD’s goals. NTIA’s listening sessions are meant to inform Roth’s determination on additional uses.

Attendees talked about other uses for funds, including the following topics:

  • Device Access and Digital Skills
  • Affordable Broadband Solutions
  • Returning the Funds to Treasury
  • Public Safety and Emergency Communications
  • State and Local Flexibility

OPPORTUNITY in the Twin Cities: Computer training and access to a free computer

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An opportunity from Project Nandi in the Twin Cities…

Neighbors Connect for Family and Individuals

This program distributes free laptops, and helps families and individuals get digital access. The orientation session will go over day to day digital skills like:

·    Understand how to power on computer

·    Connect to internet

·    Open browser

·    Check email

·    Join and access Google Meet

During the training we will go over how to access the Northstar digital literacy program. This will allow participants to further their digital knowledge. Once the participant completes their training they will be given a no-cost laptop.

Register online

Waseca County celebrates strong progress on rural broadband

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Waseca County News reports…

Buoyed by nearly $8 million in largely state-driven investment, Waseca County has made dramatic strides over the last couple of Lino offer congratulations for the achievement award and the progress the county has made in expanding access to high speed broadband.

They report on the Waseca’s ranking in the country broadband profiles…

According to the nonprofit Blandin Foundation, Waseca County had been stuck for several years in the “red” category, ranking in the bottom tier of Minnesota counties with only about three-quarters of county residents having access to broadband

Thanks to several recently approved multi-million dollar projects, the share of Waseca County residents with access to high speed broadband meeting the state’s 2026 goals has increased to around 84%, pushing it from the “red” tier into yellow.

Back in 2024, local service provider Bevcomm received close to $6 million in grant funding to build nearly 200 miles of mainline broadband which now provides internet service for hundreds of families in the lightly populated southwest portion of the county, centered around Waldorf.

Thanks to that major investment, almost every home and business in southwest Waseca County now has access to high speed broadband. Future projects will instead focus on the northern portion of the county around Waseca and Janesville, and east of Highway 13.

And offer a recommendation to get even closer to goal…

However, to close the deal on the “last mile” broadband projects which tend to be particularly expensive, Kraus is asking county residents for their help, specifically those rural residents who continue to be unserved or underserved by current infrastructure.

Under the Minnesota Broadband Line Extension Program, Waseca County residents or business owners who have no internet or broadband less than the 25 mbs downloads/3 mbs uploads can apply for up to $25,000 to get a line extension to their home or business.

EVENT Feb 18: Digital Equity Ecosystems with Colin Rhinesmith, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

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Unfortunately this is at the same time at the MN Broadband Task Force meeting but it looks interesting…

Digital Equity Ecosystems:
How Community Coalitions Reduce Inequality and Strengthen Democracy

a talk with Colin Rhinesmith, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Join us on February 18, 2026, from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM ET for a stimulating talk!

Use the link here to register for the Zoom webinar: https://tinyurl.com/47ukftct