It’s interesting to see the reaction to the $35 million in the surplus budget for broadband. Here’s what the Bluff County Newspaper says…

However, this is an issue the state, and even federal government, must be involved in since the networks extend over wide geographic areas and, like rural electrification a century ago, is too costly for the sparsely populated areas to handle on their own.

The Minnesota Legislature just before adjourning midnight Sunday allocated $35 million in extra grants for broadband development, which was short of the $100 million request from Gov. Mark Dayton. Still, it got through the hectic session this year, which is more than can be said about a traditional infrastructure program — transportation.

A decade ago, these issues weren’t even under consideration as part of the economic development puzzle. Today, providing access to daycare and improving broadband are finding universal consensus that they are more than just an individual concern.

The article also details a lot of focus effort but it’s the last line that I think is so wise.