The Duluth News Tribune published a letter to the editor from Representative Rob Ecklund, incumbent candidate running against Republican Thomas Manninen in Minnesota House District 3A. He mentions broadband as tool to attract and retain residents and businesses…

Beyond our immediate difficulties we’re facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we must take a longer-term vision to strengthen our rural economy. A lack of high-speed broadband access remains a barrier to attracting, growing, and maintaining businesses. Without internet access, it’s nearly impossible to bring products to a global marketplace. Additionally, large employers are looking to telecommuting options for their employees, and without broadband, our region can’t be home to these workers. I’m proud to have championed legislation investing $40 million in our state’s Border-to-Border Broadband Grant Program. While this is a significant investment, large gaps in reliable internet coverage remain throughout our region. Many of our students struggled to complete schoolwork prior to COVID-19, and since its emergence, distance learning has exacerbated these difficulties even further. It’s 2020, and high-speed internet can no longer be seen as just a luxury for businesses, students, and families. Rather, it’s time we treat it as the necessity it is.