I’ve noticed a momentum of more broadband talk in the local papers (and with local legislators) since broadband day at Farmfest. Rather than post each story separately I thought I’d try to compile them. The a common theme is the importance of broadband, the gap between urban and rural availability and the need to keep talking about broadband especially with legislators to increase State funding for broadband projects next year…

Grand Forks Herald (and others) posted a letter from Lt Governor Tina Smith…

Eventually, Minnesota farms were electrified, but it didn’t happen for everyone for nearly 15 years. In 1936, President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Rural Electrification Act to assist rural communities finally replacing kerosene and wood stoves with alternating currents and wires. Access to electricity revolutionized farming and dramatically improved quality of life.

Today, nearly 80 years later, we are at a similar juncture for broadband Internet access. Increasingly, farmers are recognizing the importance of high-quality, affordable Internet. This year, the annual FarmFest trade show in Redwood County declared Aug. 4 to be “Broadband Day,” further raising awareness of the issue.

Right now, only three of Minnesota’s top 10 agricultural counties have broadband availability that meets the state’s standards for accessibility. In fact, five of these counties are below 60 percent availability for broadband.

Broadband in Minnesota’s rural communities is not just nice. It’s necessary. As the world’s population continues to grow, Minnesotans are producing more food, fuel and fiber to help meet the growing need. Precision agriculture and technology-based solutions are essential tools for farmers as they increase efficiency and maximize production.

Duluth New Tribune talks about Representative Rick Nolan’s proposed legislation…

Getting everyone online is seen as critical for delivering health care outside of big cities, for improving the education of all kids and so businesses, no matter where they’re located, can remain competitive in today’s global economies.  Recognizing and embracing all this, U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan, whose 8th Congressional District includes Northeastern Minnesota, introduced legislation recently to launch a massive, electrification-like effort to broaden broadband all over the U.S. His measure would create for the first time a coordinated federal strategy to bring high-tech communications to millions now underserved.  …

“There is currently no clear congressionally approved plan, no strategy and no single federal office responsible for helping connect tens of millions of rural people to modern broadband services,” Nolan said in a statement. “Here in rural America, high-speed broadband is essential to our ability to compete — to help start new businesses, create new jobs, attract new people and provide the education and health care services so essential to our quality of life.”  Centralized at the new Office of Rural Broadband Initiatives, which would be created as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture under Nolan’s measure, would be $724 million in grants and loans already being distributed for broadband. The office also would handle existing federal regulations related to broadband.  Run by a new undersecretary appointed by the president, the office would be the go-to place for local, regional and state broadband efforts as well as serve as a central clearinghouse for broadband information for federal agencies.