The Hibbing Daily Tribune recently ran an article from Rep. Julie Sandstede on broadband…

Down in St. Paul, I’m the chief author of an initiative to expand the Border-to-Border Broadband program by $100 million. Matching grants made available under this program are able to leverage private capital to improve infrastructure throughout the state.

Since the program launched in 2014, $65 million has been invested to expand access to 10,000 new homes and more than 1,000 businesses.

As learning has moved toward electronic resources, students and teachers increasingly rely on access to fast internet service. The use of telemedicine is expanding, and our aging populations in rural Minnesota need 21st century broadband — this isn’t a luxury.

It’s no secret that our regional economy needs to diversify, and I’m working hard to make this happen.

For every $1 invested in broadband infrastructure, communities have seen up to a $10 return. If we want to be a destination location for businesses of all types, we can’t put these investments off.

If we don’t build it, they won’t come.