From the Office of Broadband Development…
Updates From the Office of Broadband Development
The following updates are available from the Office of Broadband Development:
- Governor’s Task Force on Broadband to meet Thursday, January 11th
- Closing date approaching for Border-to-Border Broadband Development Grant Program challenge applications
- Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Updates
- Broadband expansion funding continues through state-wide awards
- Welcome to our new staff in the Office of Broadband Development!
Governor’s Task Force on Broadband to meet Thursday, January 11th
The Task Force will meet in Braham, MN at 10 a.m. Central Time on Thursday January 11th. Meetings are virtual and in-person, and more information can be found on the meeting agenda. This meeting will include updates on BEAD, the Digital Equity Act, and benefits from the Border-to-Border Broadband Grants and ECE Deployment. To see more information on Task Force members, past meetings, and annual reports visit the OBD Broadband Task Force webpage.
The Task Force is charged with creating an annual report to be issued by December 31 each year. The report will address areas such as: the needs, barriers, issues and goals for broadband access; the needs and use of broadband in various sectors; digital inclusion definitions and the benefits, needs and strategies for addressing identified gaps; availability and accessibility for unserved and underserved populations; advances in broadband technology; opportunities to coordinate with other levels of government; and continued review of the adequacy and appropriateness of the broadband goals.
Closing date approaching for Border-to-Border Broadband Development Grant Program challenges
Broadband service providers have until 4:00 p.m. Central Time on January 11, 2024 to submit challenges to the Round 9 Border to Border and Low Population Density grant applications. To be considered, challenges must come from providers that submitted broadband mapping data to Connected Nation for the 2023 data collection. Visit the Broadband Grant Program website for more information on 2023 grant round applications, a detailed timeline on the grant applications, and more information on the challenge process.
Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Updates
The Minnesota Office of Broadband Development submitted their Initial Proposal draft for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) on December 22, 2023. This plan was drafted to best mirror Minnesota’s Border-to-Border and Low Population Density Programs that have had nine grant rounds since 2014.
The BEAD program provides funding for broadband infrastructure and the preparation of a plan by each eligible entity for how to achieve internet for all. Federal BEAD program funding for broadband infrastructure deployment included a minimum of $100 million for each state. Allocations to each state above the initial funding were announced on June 26, 2023. Minnesota will receive a total of $651,839,368. The individual state amounts were calculated from the number of unserved locations (locations without reliable broadband service of at least 25Mbps download and 3Mbps upload) within each state based on new maps that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) developed as well as the number of such locations in areas deemed to be high cost.
Broadband expansion funding continues through state-wide awardsAlmost $4.4 million has been awarded through the first round of funding from the Broadband Line Extension Connection program, aimed at expanding broadband throughout Minnesota.The award will fund broadband service to 843 residential and business locations by 20 providers across 32 counties in Minnesota. The funding will work to ensure delivery of at least 100 Mbps download and 100 Mbps upload speeds.Any household or business can apply to the Line Extension Connection Program if the location does not have wireline internet service of at least 25 Mbps Download and 3 Mbps Upload. For more information on the Program and to learn how to apply for the next round of funding, visit the Broadband Line Extension Connection website.Welcome to our new staff in the Office of Broadband Development!Carlos García, Office ManagerCarlos previously worked at Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development with Unemployment Insurance in the Legal Affairs/Appeals department where he helped support 26 unemployment insurance law judges. Carlos’ unauthorized autobiography states he has had an assortment of jobs in his life and was a graphic designer for 12 years before working for the state. He enjoys being creative in his off hours and does anything where he can be artistic. From cartoons to cooking to woodcarving, he has multiple projects going on at the same time. Carlos proudly hails from Compton, California.Anna Norcutt Preuss, Community Engagement + Special Project CoordinatorAnna has previously worked on coordinating and supporting projects for cities and universities. She has a background in affordable housing and environmental health research. Anna previously worked in the digital equity and opportunity field in the Twin Cities before getting her Master of Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Thrilled to be back in Minnesota, she enjoys walking her dog, traveling, cooking, and very good coffee!