Minneapolis Star Tribune posts an editorial…

Broadband has become so commonplace for so many that it can be hard to remember that not everyone has access to high-speed internet.

In Minnesota, there are at least 136,000 homes and small businesses in mostly rural areas that lack what has become a necessity of everyday life, hindering everything from remote schooling to business competitiveness.

That’s why the news that Minnesota will receive $652 million in federal funding to expand broadband across the state is especially welcome. It comes on top of $100 million the state set aside in this year’s legislative session. Together, these resources should allow for substantial improvements to broadband access across the state and a much-needed revitalization of the outstate economy.

Broadband has become so commonplace for so many that it can be hard to remember that not everyone has access to high-speed internet.

In Minnesota, there are at least 136,000 homes and small businesses in mostly rural areas that lack what has become a necessity of everyday life, hindering everything from remote schooling to business competitiveness.

That’s why the news that Minnesota will receive $652 million in federal funding to expand broadband across the state is especially welcome. It comes on top of $100 million the state set aside in this year’s legislative session. Together, these resources should allow for substantial improvements to broadband access across the state and a much-needed revitalization of the outstate economy.