Red Lake Nation News reports…

On Wednesday, Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Commissioner Steve Grove and DEED’s Executive Director for the Office of Broadband Development, Angie Dickison, hosted a roundtable discussion at local internet service provider Nuvera in Hutchinson. Their discussion focused on why broadband access is essential and why now is the time to finish the job and provide border-to-border broadband access to all Minnesotans.

“I love hearing from leaders and business owners about what makes Minnesota the best place to live and do business, and today’s conversation reinforced how critical high-speed, high-quality broadband is for schools, businesses, families, and communities,” said Steve Grove, DEED Commissioner. “It’s an equity issue on many levels, and during the past several years of the state’s border-to-border broadband program, we have helped bring reliable broadband to about 93% of Minnesotans. The Walz-Flanagan budget invests $170 million to bring border-to-border broadband access to all Minnesotans. It’s time to finish the job.”

Roundtable attendees included:

• Glenn Zerbe, CEO/President, Nuvera

• Matt Jaunich, City Administrator, City of Hutchinson

• Angie Dickison, Executive Director, Office of Broadband Development (DEED)

• Daron VanderHeiden, Superintendent, Hutchinson Public Schools

• Marie Guggisberg, Owner, River Creek Nursery