CBS Minnesota reported a couple days ago…

The central Minnesota city of Annandale would get one-fifth of the new money available statewide for broadband Internet build-outs in an earmark that passed the Legislature this week with no time to spare — and vaulted the city past a competitive bidding process that other rural towns must go through.

Annandale was passed over for a grant in 2014, but a clause inserted in a budget bill Monday night sets aside $2 million this time. The earmark by House Republican negotiators would answer what one city official called the “helplessness of not having options” to offer quality Internet to businesses and residents.

But others worry about awarding money outside a rigorous vetting process by the state Office of Broadband Development, which makes grants to cities that partner with private companies based on cost, significance to the community and evidence that an area is underserved by Internet providers.

The Governor vetoed a few bills yesterday – which means special session. So we may see some of the details of this and other projects get fleshed out yet.

I can understand the frustration for Annandale. They have been looking at broadband options for a long time – but they aren’t the only ones. It’s really an indicator or example of how many towns feel! The CBS story puts that info perspective…

“They really aren’t going to the head of the line,” Martin said. “They’re going around the line.”

This is the second year of Minnesota’s broadband grant program, which has a goal of high-speed Internet from border-to-border. About $20 million was awarded in the first year, but none of those projects are near completion. There would be $8 million left in next year’s pot.

Madeline Koch, spokeswoman at the Department of Employment and Economic Development, said the agency would rather see awards made only after potential projects are reviewed.

“DEED uses this scoring process to ensure the best projects are awarded these grants,” she said.