The International Falls Journal reports…

Koochiching County commissioners also this week took action to support a Minnesota Broadband Vision, which aims to bring broadband access to all Minnesotans.

By adopting the vision, commissioners join other Minnesota counties and cities in encouraging the Minnesota Legislature and governor to “provide sufficient leadership, resources and legal framework to ensure that the State of Minnesota achieves this vision.”

Paul Nevanen, representing the Koochiching Technology Initiative, said part of the vision helps determine areas of Minnesota that are under served in broadband access and working with providers and state resources to improve connectivity.

Broadband internet in rural Minnesota has been identified as an essential utility by many as it is increasingly relied upon to provided access to telehealth, distance learning, e-commerce, precision agriculture and many other applications, the resolution of the vision said. It has been compared to electricity with regard to improving the quality of life and eliminates traditional barriers of time and distance.

Jim Yount, KTI, said the vision has also been adopted by 19 Minnesota counties and 16 cities.

“It’s a pretty straight forward vision,” he said.