Like the Grand Forks Herald article, there are just a few points of confusion in the article in the Twin Cities Business Magazine on the MN Broadband Task Force report…

A state task force released a report on Wednesday calling for a $200 million investment to bring affordable broadband access to every region of Minnesota.

The Governor’s Task Force on Broadband also suggested the money be used to exempt telecommunications equipment from state sales tax and increase telecommunication aid for schools and libraries. …

In early December, Governor Dayton and Smith proposed $100 million to improve rural broadband access for 35,000 homes, businesses and institutions. By doubling the initial investment, the task force believes broadband could reach every corner of the state.

I don’t think the Task Force believes that $200 million in grants would cover every corner of the state – even with a 1-to-1 match of funds. They have noted that the cost to deploy broadband throughout the state has been estimated at $1-3 billion. But the greater amount invested, the greater matching from alternate sources, the greater portion of the state covered.