The Association of Minnesota Counties, an organization representing all 87 Minnesota counties, recently passed its top legislative priorities for the 2023 legislative session.
Here’s what they say about broadband…
Minnesota is a national leader in deploying broadband to unserved communities. Despite our work, nearly 25% of rural Minnesota communities do not have access to a reliable broadband internet connection. The Office of Broadband Development estimates it will take $1.3 billion to connect the rest of the state to world-class, high speed broadband internet. Counties partner with internet service providers to find areas with no service and often use their own levy dollars to make expansion projects possible. The Legislature and federal government have made historic investments in broadband, but there will likely be a gap in available funding and the amount required to finish the job. Counties support fully funding the state’s Border-to-Border Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program.
Blandin on Broadband 