The Brainerd Dispatch posts a guest update on the 2021 Legislative Session from Senator Carrie Ruud…

The pandemic made it very clear that broadband is no longer a luxury, but a necessity, and we have work to do in that area. Therefore, included in the agriculture budget was important funding for broadband expansion. Last year we provided a large investment for expansion efforts to our rural communities — and we again this year invested in broadband expansion, thanks to federal funding from the American Recovery Plan. This continuous investment shows our commitment to ensuring Greater Minnesota is no longer left behind in broadband expansion.