I am pleased to share the Association of Minnesota Counties’ (AMC) broadband platform (with permission).

2015 AMC Broadband Platform

• AMC supports identifying and implementing actions to achieve by 2020 the goal of statewide deployment of advanced broadband networks and symmetrical high-speed capacity.
• AMC supports initiatives to make it easier for counties, townships, cities, municipal utilities, schools, libraries, and other public sector entities to collaborate and deploy broadband infrastructure and services at the local and regional level.
• AMC supports public/private collaboration to achieve state broadband goals, including partnerships and cooperation in providing broadband services and infrastructure.
• AMC supports removing barriers to the exercise of local authority to provide such services, including repeal of Minn. Stat. § 237.19, that requires a supermajority voter approval for the provision of local phone service by a local unit of government, and clarifying county and state bonding authority.
• AMC supports offering incentives to private sector service providers to respond to local or regional needs and to collaborate with cities and counties to deploy broadband infrastructure capable of delivering sufficient bandwidth and capacity to meet immediate and future local needs.
• AMC supports completely and continuously updating comprehensive statewide maps of broadband services to identify underserved areas and connectivity issues.
• AMC opposes the prohibition of public money to be spent on broadband infrastructure projects.
• AMC supports permanent funding for the Office of Broadband Development within DEED, and continued funding for the Border to Border Broadband Development Fund.
• AMC supports removing the prevailing wage requirement for the Border to Border Broadband Grant Program, and to allow non Minnesota based COOPs to apply for the grant as long as the project is in MN, if the program is continued.

There’s a lot of support for what is already happening, which is good. There are some specific suggestions for change. I’ve mentioned several times – broadband is poised to be a hot topic in the MN Legislature this year. It’s good to see people preparing!