The Coalition for Greater Minnesota Cities (CGMC) is asking the legislature to look at rural issues especially broadband…

“We’ve traveled around Greater Minnesota and the most frequent question we received was whether there would be more broadband funding,” Peterson said.

“Our communities and businesses need high-quality broadband to be competitive in today’s economy,” Seifert added. “It is essential for business growth that everyone in Greater Minnesota has the same access to fast, reliable broadband that has long been available in the metro area.”

Seifert said the broadband infrastructure fund created by the Legislature last year will help to bring high-speed Internet to areas of rural Minnesota, but that many areas still face significant connectivity problems.

“Following the announcement of the recipients of the broadband fund, there were people left on the cutting board,” said Seifert. “We really want to urge the Legislature of that unmet need in rural Minnesota.”

The 2014 session approved $20 million for broadband. This year $200 million is being discussed.

Peterson said that since the beginning of the economic recovery six years ago, there’s more than a 50 percent increase in jobs that need properly trained employees. He pointed to higher education falling short in specialized requirements of new jobs.

“I know one example of a company that came in using German equipment, and the only people who knew how to work it were the Germans,” Peterson said in an interview after the news conference.

The CGMC has taken an elevated interest in broadband for about two years now. Last fall they urged voters to think of broadband as they went to the polls.