Mayor Ness Official Opens the Conference

Discouraging to have almost no discussion of broadband during elections. Need to make investment in rural area – need to make the point that broadband *is* essential in rural area. We need to put action behind ideas. Duluth’s broadband infrastructure allows us to compete with the rest of the world. Without that investment we would not be able to compete.

Bernadine Joselyn welcomes everyone:

It’s our 9th conference and we have 200 people registered to be here. What is the purpose of our gathering?

Last week we were in Mora talking about regional broadband development. We asked what success would look like? Fred Underwood said technology would successfully implemented because entirely invisible. When we’re no longer talking about broadband, just using it, that will be success.

The conference conversation has shifted from what is broadband? To how can I get it?

Access denied is opportunity denied.

Bill Hoffman – on Connect MN Report

Provides a sneak peek at Connect MN data on broadband availability; more info on that as soon as the press release is posted. (Expected this afternoon/evening.)

Task Force Presentations

Members of the Task Force talk about their progress…

The room brainstorms some ideas for policies that promote broadband:

• “We need a tax break to access broadband in rural areas” from someone paying $100/month for satellite
• “what about folks who don’t make enough to itemize tax returns?”
• Transportation has wrestled with gas tax – what to do when it’s no longer sufficient? Might be a model for universal service for broadband