MN Broadband grant awards announced
Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan announced $67 million in state grants for internet providers to expand broadband coverage to tens of thousands of Minnesotans, furthering the administration’s commitment to providing broadband for all Minnesotans.
Minnesota’s federal broadband BEAD allotment is $650 million
Minnesota has been allocated $651,839,368.20 for the Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program. This is slightly more than $650 million estimated last summer. It is undoubtedly a large chunk of money, but as noted in an article in MinnPost, it’s not enough. (MN Media has been covering this unprecedented funding.)
State News
- UofM talks about recent braaodband funding and rural health
- MN Policymakers tour local ISP, 702 Communications
- White House is looking at success of MN legislative session – including broadband support
- MN DEED reports on Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) Week of Action
- Minnesota schools receive Emergency Connectivity Funding from the FCC
- How does MN’s Line Extension Program compare to others?
- OBD Director Bree Maki talks MN Broadband on Rural-Urban MN Twin Talks
Federal/National News
- Affordable Connectivity Program is going well in rural areas
- New fiber can transmit 1.7 Petabits – time to change definitions of broadband?
- Forget RDOF – give RDOF money to the State Broadband Offices
- Common Sense determines Affordable Connectivity Program is good investment – worth continuing
- US Conference of Mayors on broadband: Yes to money and local control
- Recommendations to Maximize New Federal Investments in Broadband for Rural America
Vendor News
Local Broadband News
Aitkin County
Aitkin County residents asked to take Digital Equity Survey
Cass, Fillmore, Kandiyohi, Meeker and Stearns Counties
USDA awards ReConnect broadband funding to serve Cass, Fillmore, Kandiyohi, Meeker and Stearns Counties
Dodge and Fillmore Counties
More info on MN State Grants in Dodge and Fillmore Counties
Douglas, Otter Tail and Wilkin Counties
More info on MN State Grants in Douglas, Wilkin and Otter Tail Counties
Fillmore, Freeborn, and Mower Counties
NTIA awards $930M for broadband: MN will benefit from one award
More about NTIA’s WI-based Dairyland award helping MN Counties too
Freeborn
Freeborn MN is unhappiest broadband county in the US
Jackson County
More info on MN Border to Border grant in Jackson County
Kandiyohi County
Kandiyohi County is looking at ARPA funds for digital equity projects
Kandiyohi County it waiting to hear on MN Border to Border grants
Update on State and Federal Broadband Funding in Kandiyohi County
Meeker County
More details on Meeker (County) Cooperative ReConnect fiber project in Litchfield
Northeast MN
NE MN Digital Connection meeting: Notes and Slides
Olmsted County
More on MN Broadband grant in Olmsted County
Prior Lake
Nuvera – Prior Lake gig network is expanding
Southern MN
Southern Minnesota take on recent federal funding allocations
Wayzata
Comcast brings Gig access to Wayzata
Willmar
Willmar is working with Hometown Fiber on Open Access Fiber Model
Winona
Frontline, local view of statewide digital equity planning
Upcoming Events, Opportunities and Resources
- EVENT Jul 19: Benton’s ACP Enrollment Performance Tool AMA Webinar July 19
- OPPORTUNITY: State Library Services Grant Opportunities Now Open