Blandin Foundation supports technology and more
Blandin’s mission is to connect, fund and advocate for ideas and people to inspire resourcefulness and move rural places forward. Post COVID shut down, they created the Leadership Boost Grants (LBG) program to encourage Minnesotans living in rural and Native communities to be visionary and creative as they move their communities forward to meet the moment’s challenges and support local vision for growth. They cast a wide net in asking local communities for their ideas. They got a lot of them and funded projects in 90 communities. Learn more in a quick video tour of impactful projects.

BEAD deadlines are approaching
NTIA created a dashboard to track states’ progress toward meeting deadlines required to secure BEAD funding. A big deadline is December 27, 2023, when the Initial Proposal is due. Before then, states are required to release drafts and allow for 30 days of public comment. The Minnesota Office of Broadband Development is aiming to have a draft report out mid-November. Conversations and advice have already started in mainstream media about the drafts.

ILSR and MTA on federal funding channels for MN Communities
The Institute for Local Self Reliance recently spoke about various funding resources for broadband providers with Minnesota Telecom Alliance. It’s a hugely helpful discussion because it can get confusing.

State News    

• Star Tribune article on rural broadband spurs comments on fiber vs satellite
• Senator Kunesh notes $100 million broadband investment during President Biden visit
• More info on 22 Companies accepting Enhanced A-CAM funds in Minnesota
• Minnesota designated a tech hub and now eligible for more federal funding
• Two new additions to the MN Broadband Task Force: Brian Hood & Briana Mumme
• Technology making life better in MN communities for older folks
• 21 MN broadband providers accept Enhanced A-CAM funding

Federal/National News

• The FCC is starting to look at new definitions of broadband
• ACP (Affordable Connectivity Program) is getting more people online
• NTIA eases capital requirement for BEAD broadband funding
• Broadband makes short list of items White House wants to fund for National Security
• Federal funding allocated for broadband permitting
• Bill introduced in US Senate to promote Lifeline and ACP

Vendor News

• Arvig signs up for Enhanced A-CAM funding in Todd, Becker, Stearns, Hubbard, Otter Tail, Redwood and Cass Counties
• Midco sells tower portfolio to K2 Towers and will rent access to keep CAFII commitments
• Amazon getting into the satellite internet business

Local Broadband News

Ash (St Louis County)
Paul Bunyan Communications brings FTTH to Ash MN

Bloomington (Hennepin County)
Intrepid Fiber Networks expands FTTH service to Bloomington MN

Corcoran (Hennepin County)
Comcast to bring better broadband to Corcoran with Border to Border funding

Deer River/Leech Lake (Itasca County)
Tour of Deer River/Leech Lake Community Tech Hub: teens doing great work

Grand Rapids (Itasca County)
Tour of The Forge: a manufacturing tech collocation/incubator and so much more in Grand Rapids MN

Mankato (Blue Earth County)
Mankato Free Press on federal broadband funding in MN

Northfield (Rice County)
President Biden stops in Northfield to announce $5 billion in rural investment

Northeast MN
Digital Point of View on Belonging in Northeast MN conference

Orr (St Louis County)
Bois Forte Band broadband project nearly to bidding process around Orr MN (St Louis County)

Red Wing
Red Wing Ignite celebrates 10 years of local growth – also sneak peek at an amazing mural

St Cloud (Stearns County)
T-Mobile bringing fiber service to St Cloud (Stearns County)

St Paul
LiftZone provides computers, broadband and training to new immigrants in St Paul

Swan Lake (Nicollet County)
Mediacom Communications Launches Ultra-High-Speed Broadband in Swan Lake Area

Willmar (Kandiyohi County)
Willmar City Council approves Hometown Fiber contract to build open access network

Upcoming Events, Opportunities and Resources

• EVENT Nov 13: Black Broadband Summit in North Minneapolis
• EVENT Nov 15: FCC Will Vote on Rules to Prevent and Eliminate Digital Discrimination
• EVENT Nov 16: LTD Broadband on agenda for MN Public Utilities Meeting
• EVENT Nov 28: Paul Bunyan Communications, Leech Lake and IEDC host Affordable Connectivity Program Sign Up Day
• OPPORTUNITY: Free Geek Executive Director Wanted
• OPPORTUNITY: FCC looking for nominations to Native Nations Communications Task Force
• OPPORTUNITY: RFP fiber installation project in Scott County MN
• OPPORTUNITY: DEED announces $50 million round of broadband expansion funding
• Looks like a good time to become a broadband engineer or manager
• Looking for a digital equity resource in the Twin Cities? Check out Literacy Minnesota’s newest newsletter
• Does your community need help with these federal funding applications? There’s a bootcamp for that