MN Broadband Task Force meets on September 19
The MN Broadband Task Force was announced in mid-July. The first meeting has been scheduled for September 19. There is no agenda on the website.

MN PUC will meet on LTD Broadband on September 21
The MN PUC has invited comment on the ongoing issue of LTD Broadband’s designation as an ETC (Eligible Telecommunications Carrier). They have received comments from Le Sueur County and TC resident, Attorney General, ILSR and MTA & MREA, MN Farmer’s Union, Dep of Commerce, MTA & MREA and LTD Broadband as well as a map correction.

MN OBD hosts meetings on Draft Digital Opportunity Plan
The MN Office of Broadband Development is hosting talks about Minnesota’s Digital Opportunity Planning Process. It’s an opportunity for folks to learn more and/or chime in with their view of the Draft Digital Opportunity Plan.

State News    

• Benton Institute for Broadband & Society looks at MN Draft Digital Opportunity Plan
• Computer use on Minnesota farms slightly higher than US average
• Report on Impact on Remote Work in Indiana & look at number of remote workers in MN
• Minnesota recognizes that $650M in BEAD for broadband is not enough
• Telecompetitor looks as who was awarded grants in last MN Broadband grant round
• Senator Westrom on broadband impact on rural Renaissance
• Broadband still a hot topic at Farmfest
• Office of Broadband Development News: Planning, Meetings and New Staff

• Will providers in MN take E-ACAM funding, which requires 100/20 Mbps expansion?

Federal/National News

• How can we make BEAD work? Advice from Doug Dawson
• Affordable Connectivity Program may expire next year
• Update from NTIA: Making Internet for All in America: The Next Steps
• Reforms in ReConnect to help more broadband providers access funds to serve rural areas
• FCC Acts to Provide Subsidy for Consumers in Certain High-Cost Areas
• Is rural broadband widening some gaps? Aaron Brown thinks so.
• Some RDOF awardees want more money or an out

Vendor News

• Allina cuts half a day in hospital with telebehavioral health strategies
• AT&T Announces New Internet Service Available Today in Minneapolis-St. Paul
• Comcast offers storm-ready WiFi
• Broadband cooperative provider Paul Bunyan Communications returns $3.2M to members
• Updates on Lumen and Consolidated Communications via FTTH Top 100 list

Local Broadband News

Becker County
A nod in Becker for bipartisan support for federal infrastructure funding

Blaine and Coon Rapids
Gateway Fiber coming to Blaine and Coon Rapids

Hennepin County
More information on the Independence Border to Border award with MidCo (Hennepin County)

Le Center
Metronet is building FTTH in Le Center (Le Sueur County)

Le Sueur County
MinnPost looks deep into Le Sueur’s broadband to see how policies matter
Broadband rally cry at the Le Sueur County Fair

Nobles County
More info on Lismore Cooperative’s MN State Broadband awards in Nobles County
USDA announces $700M in broadband awards including almost $20M in Nobles County

Rushford
Senator Smith visits Rushford to talk about broadband

St Cloud to Montevideo
Telehealth services extend neonatal services from St Cloud to Montevideo

Sherburne County
More info on Arvig’s MN State Grant in Sherburne County
More info on Arvig MN State broadband awards in Sherburne County

Upcoming Events, Opportunities and Resources

• EVENT Sep 14-15: Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference
• EVENT Sep 21: Minnesota PUC meeting on LTD revocation

• EVENT Oct 4: Third Annual Equity Summit: Belonging in Northeast Minnesota from Northspan’s Welcoming Community Program

• OPPORTUNITY: Remote Fellowship with Aspen Digital, Public Knowledge
• OPPORTUNITY: ILSR looking for a Digital Equity Coordinator
• OPPORTUNITY: Comment on MN’s Draft Digital Opportunity Plan
• OPPORTUNITY: Internet 2 InCommon Advisory Committee Nominations Open Through Oct. 1

• OPPORTUNITY: Possible tech funding for child care programs in MN

Series of events: Aug 29-Sep 27: Talk about Minnesota’s Digital Opportunity Planning Process get specific dates below:

• Tuesday, Sept. 5 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. at Wentworth Library in St. Paul
• Wednesday, Sept. 6 from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. at the Witoka Tavern in Winona
• Wednesday, Sept. 6 from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. at the Family Service Rochester
• Thursday, Sept. 7 from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. at the Rice County Government Building in Faribault
• Thursday, Sept. 7 from 1:30 – 3:30 at the Bridge Plaza Building in Mankato
• Tuesday, Sept. 12 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the UMN-Crookston Student Center
• Wednesday, Sept. 13 from 2:00 – 4:00 at the Fergus Falls Public Library
• Thursday, Sept. 14 from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. Virtual Meeting
• Monday, Sept. 18 from 2:30 – 4:30 at the City of Hinckley Community Center
• Thursday, Sept. 19 from 2:00 – 4:00 at the Two Harbors Public Library
• Wednesday, Sept. 20 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Community Tech Hub in Deer River
• Thursday, Sept. 21 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. at North Regional Library in Minneapolis
• Tuesday, Sept. 26 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at MN North – Rainy River Campus in International Falls
• Wednesday, Sept. 27 from 10:00 a.m. – noon at the Northwest MN Foundation in Bemidji
• Thursday, Sept. 27 from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. Virtual Meeting