Fergus Falls Daily Journal reports…

Leaders in Otter Tail County are putting together their main legislative priorities to bring to the Minnesota Legislature in St. Paul. The Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners outlined funding priorities and announced their legislative priorities.

The priorities set by the commissioners are to expand broadband infrastructure, asking for funding of the Broadband Development Grant Program.

“Everything runs on broadband now,” OTC Board Chair Dough Huebsch said. “It is very important to have fast internet to attract workers and families to OTC. Whether it is working from home, farming or doing homework, it is becoming vital for every household to have a fast internet connection. In the less populated areas of the county it is less appealing, for providers to make the investment in fiber, because of the low number of subscribers. In the past, we subsidized electricity and phone service as necessary needs. Broadband is in that category now and we need to work together to find solutions.”

Broadband expansion along with other economic growth is a main focus for the OTC Board.