Blandin Foundation Seeking New Minnesota Broadband Ranking
The Economist’s Inclusive Internet Index ranks Minnesota third in the US based Availability, Affordability, Relevance and Readiness. https://wp.me/p3if7-4vb US News and World Report ranks Minnesota seventh for broadband. https://wp.me/p3if7-4v5

Minnesota Task Force Talks Super Bowl and Wireless
The Task Force learned about the ins and outs of the communication technology around the Super Bowl. They also heard from a fixed wireless provider. It led to some interesting discussions about the definition of broadband. https://wp.me/p3if7-4ts (There was also article on fixed wireless in the Minneapolis Star Tribune soon after the Task Force meeting. https://wp.me/p3if7-4tP)

Apply for the Blandin Broadband Communities program
Blandin Foundation is currently seeking four new Blandin Broadband Communities for a 2018-20 cohort. https://blandinfoundation.org/programs/expanding-opportunity/broadband/blandin-broadband-communities-program/

Minnesota Cooperatives
Minnesota Cooperatives gather to talk about cooperative role in creating a winning broadband strategy for Minnesota. https://wp.me/p3if7-4tT

Minnesota Legislature – actions and reactions

• MN Senate Jobs &Economic Growth Committee got a Broadband update on March 5 https://wp.me/p3if7-4vs
• Broadband grant program appropriation (SF 2787) was introduced in the MN Senate https://wp.me/p3if7-4vi
• Internet digital blocking of obscene material (3281) was introduced in the MN Legislature https://wp.me/p3if7-4vg
• ISP sales and use taxation exemption (HF 3245) was introduced in the MN Legislature https://wp.me/p3if7-4ve
• MN Legislation to abolish MNIT was introduced https://wp.me/p3if7-4vW
• Small Cell Equipment policy was discussed on Feb 27 in the House Job Growth and Energy Affordability Policy and Finance Committee session https://wp.me/p3if7-4v1
• Minnesota version of Net Neutrality (HF 3033) was introduced in the Legislature https://wp.me/p3if7-4uU
• Rep Garofalo introduces changes to MN broadband grant program – removes “unserved” from grant program language https://wp.me/p3if7-4uv
• Sen Mark Koran supports broadband for businesses, school kids, home shoppers and telemedicine https://wp.me/p3if7-4vm
• Rep Walz’s staff learns about broadband needs in Faribault https://wp.me/p3if7-4ud
• Rep Layman optimistic for the legislative session and interested in broadband https://wp.me/p3if7-4ua
• Minnesota Chamber of Commerce supports broadband https://wp.me/p3if7-4u0
• Congressional candidate Leah Phifer promotes federal funding for broadband https://wp.me/p3if7-4tj
• Broadband comes up briefly in DFL Minnesota Gubernatorial discussion https://wp.me/p3if7-4tf

Federal Legislature – notes

• Trump’s take on Federal Funding for Rural Broadband https://wp.me/p3if7-4uW
• Senator Klobuchar suggests Social Media sites get rid of bots or get fined https://wp.me/p3if7-4uY
• Federal Government has $20 billion for infrastructure https://wp.me/p3if7-4ut
• Klobuchar introduces streamlining and investing in Broadband Infrastructure Act https://wp.me/p3if7-4tq

Provider News

• Congrats to two smart Minnestoa broadbabd providers (CTC and Arvig) for recent accolades from NTCA https://wp.me/p3if7-4vU
• Emily Cooperative Telephone Company deploys new equipment for their next generation fiber network in Central Minnesota. https://wp.me/p3if7-4uA
• Minnesota Department of Commerce to investigate complaints against Frontier Communications https://wp.me/p3if7-4uh
• AT&T recognizes Minneapolis’ efforts to streamline 5G deployment https://wp.me/p3if7-4ul
• Baller, Stokes & Lide on Federal share details on compliance in 2018 https://wp.me/p3if7-4tG

Local Broadband News

Bemidji
A crowd of 20 gather to talk about better broadband, to hear about CAF II and perspectives from local broadband haves and have-nots. Attendees included providers, community leaders and Rep Steve Green, Rep Matt Bliss and Andy Martin from Sen Klobuchar’s office. https://wp.me/p3if7-4th

BWCA
Slow broadband may be hurting your chance for a BWCA permit https://wp.me/p3if7-4tK

Ely
Ely uses feasibility study to come up with better broadband scenarios for the community https://wp.me/p3if7-4uj

Chippewa County
Chippewa County takes a closer look at broadband plans with feasibility study https://wp.me/p3if7-4vq

Faribault County
Faribault County supports funding for broadband in libraries https://wp.me/p3if7-4up

Fergus Falls
A crowd of 50 gather to talk about better broadband, to hear about CAF II, local need and progress experienced by Otter Tail County. Attendees included providers, community leaders and Rep Jeff Backer, Rep Paul Anderson, Rep Bud Nornes and representatives from Sen Klobuchar and Sen Smith. https://wp.me/p3if7-4vk

Hennepin County
Commerce Secretary appoints FirstNet Board Members, including Hennepin County Sheriff https://wp.me/p3if7-4ty

Iron Range
Fifty senior citizens and people with disabilities receive free computers and classes from Access North Center for Independent Living with Blandin Foundation support. https://wp.me/p3if7-4ur

Litchfield
About 25 people gather to talk about better broadband, to hear about CAF II, and the trials and tribulations of local community activity, especially in Kandiyohi County. Attendees included Rep Dave Baker, Rep Dean Urdahl, Chuck Ackman from Sen Klobuchar’s office and Jackie Anderson from Rep Peterson’s. https://wp.me/p3if7-4tM

Mora
About 60 people gather to talk about better broadband, to hear about CAF II and talk about difficulty of ubiquitous broadband in the area. Attendees included Rep Jason Rarick, Sen Tony Lourey, Sen Mark Koran, Representatives from Sen Klobuchar, Congressman Nolan and Sen Smith. https://wp.me/p3if7-4t8

Mower County
Rural Mower County MN homes could get access to high-speed internet https://wp.me/p3if7-4ux

Orr
There is frustration in Orr with Middle Mile access not coming to the door https://wp.me/p3if7-4v7

Red Wing
Ignite Minnesota Initiative launches to advance new technologies for Rural America https://wp.me/p3if7-4tn

Stearns County
Stearns County asks policymakers to add broadband to their to do list https://wp.me/p3if7-4tl

Upcoming Events & Opportunities

• FCC unveils updated broadband map – does it reflect reality in your zip code? https://wp.me/p3if7-4uO
• Feb 22: Digital literacy and older Adults Webinar Archive https://wp.me/p3if7-4uR
• March 15: BCBP Webinar – Intro to the Blandin Broadband Communities (BBC) Program https://wp.me/p3if7-4vP
• March 16, June 15, September 14 and December 14: Blandin Robust Network Feasibility Fund grants deadline https://wp.me/p3if7-4tD
• March 28: Nominate someone for a Charles Benton Digital Equity Champion Award https://wp.me/p3if7-4uL
• April 1: Deadline for applications for MHTA’s 2018 Scholarship https://wp.me/p3if7-4td
• April 5: Connect Rural Broadband Summit (Mankato) https://wp.me/p3if7-4wa
• April 9-10: gpTRAC Annual Telehealth Conference (Minneapolis) https://wp.me/p3if7-4v9
• May 31: Blandin Broadband Communities program applications due  https://blandinfoundation.org/programs/expanding-opportunity/broadband/blandin-broadband-communities-program/
• June 4-6: Fiber Connect (Nashville) https://wp.me/p3if7-4u2

Looking for more events? Check out TechDotMN’s calendar http://tech.mn/events/. Many events are based in the Twin Cities but it is a comprehensive list. (If you have an upcoming event, consider submitting it.)

Stirring the Pot – by Bill Coleman

Over the past weeks, I have been privileged to participate in a number of events hosted by regional development commissions and an Initiative Foundation.  Attendees have included county commissioners, town board members, legislators, tribal government staff, Internet service providers, economic developers, school technologists, bankers and residents.  When we start these sessions with introductions and a “what is your broadband story?” icebreaker, the rural voice is clear.  Local officials are clearly ready to partner to bring quality, ubiquitous broadband services to their residents so identifying quality provider partners is a top priority.

It is great to hear the success stories where broadband has recently been deployed or where solid plans are in place for the next 24 months.  These efforts will turn their county from unserved red to well-served green on the DEED broadband maps.  It is fun to hear these project champions give Blandin Foundation a measure of credit for the assistance received from either or both of Blandin’s Community Broadband Resources and Robust Network Feasibility Fund programs.   Details on these programs can be found here: https://blandinfoundation.org/programs/expanding-opportunity/broadband/  Both programs help communities be better prepared to attract a private sector partner and to access state or federal broadband funding programs. We often see countywide initiatives through these programs, but the determination of the best geography is a local decision.

• Communities can receive up to 32 hours of technical assistance through the CBR program to launch broadband initiatives – community meetings, broadband inventory and assessment, community surveys, etc.

• The Feasibility Study program provides a grant of up to $25,000 to hire engineering and finance consultants to do more in-depth analysis of alternative broadband improvement strategies.

Contact us to discuss how we can help!