From the Office of Broadband Development, as the conference starts, the next round of MN Broadband grants is open…
Call for Border-to-Border and Low-Density Broadband Applications
Program Description and Background
In order to continue to promote broadband infrastructure expansion for areas of Minnesota that remain unserved or underserved, public sector investment is necessary. The Border-to-Border Broadband Development Grant Program was initially established by the 2014 legislature to assist with costly deployment projects that might not occur without public financial assistance. The Low-Density Population Pilot Program was created by the legislature in 2022 and made a continuing program by the legislature in 2023. Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes §§116J.394-116J.398, the State of Minnesota, Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has the authority to award grants to assist broadband providers with eligible infrastructure installation costs.
Call for Applications
Application Window and Deadlines for 2024 Grants
The Minnesota Broadband Grant Program is a competitive grant award cycle for funds appropriated by the 2023 legislature. The grant application for the 2024 round will be available on March 12, 2024. The Grant Instructions and Application Guide can be found on DEED’s website and under the “2024 Application Process” tab.
All applications must be submitted to DEED on or before the application deadline of May 10, 2024, no later than 1:30 p.m. Central Time.
Applications MUST be COMPLETED and SUBMITTED via DEED’s Grants Management System on or prior to 1:30 p.m. Central Time on May 10, 2024, to be deemed eligible for funding. The Grants Management System will require an Organization Representative who has contract signing authority for grant contracts with the State of Minnesota to register themselves and their organization in the online Grants Management System as a new user. Once the registration has been approved by DEED, the registrant will have access to log into the Grants Management System and apply for the grant opportunity. Grant opportunities are listed under My Opportunities on the user’s dashboard once they are logged in. The window for registering new users and completing applications begins on March 12, 2024. To comply with Pre-Application Outreach requirement, the window to submit your completed application will begin April 23, 2024. The instructions to accessing and completing and submitting your application via the DEED’s Grants Management System will be located on the Office of Broadband Development (OBD) web page.
- Announcement of awards is anticipated in Summer 2024, and awards will have contract end dates of December 31, 2026.
Application Information Session
OBD is hosting an online webinar on Thursday, March 21 at 11:00 a.m. via TEAMS. Registration will be required, register here: Webinar Registration
In the webinar, staff will provide background on the Broadband Infrastructure Development grant programs, walk through the application requirements, and give an overview of the application process utilizing DEED’s Grants Management System. At the end of the session, there will be time for questions. While not required, prospective applicants are encouraged to participate in the information session. A recording of the session along with questions and answers from the webinar will be posted under the Applicant Resources tab of the OBD webpage.
- March 12, 2024 – DEED’s Grant Management System opens to applicants
- March 21, 2024 – Broadband Grant Round 10 Webinar
- March 29, 2024 – last day to notify existing providers of applicant’s intent to file an application [required by Minn. Stat. 116J.395, subd. 5(9)]
- April 23, 2024 – first day an applicant may submit a completed application in DEED’s Grant Management System based on when they completed their pre-application notification
- May 10, 2024 – window closes so completed applications must be submitted in DEED’s Grant Management System by 1:30 p.m. Central Time
- May 15, 2024 – challenge process begins
- June 14, 2024 – challenge process ends at 4:00 pm Central Time
- Summer 2024 – awards are anticipated to be announced
- December 31, 2026 – projects need to be completed (contract end date)
Contact Information
For more information and Grant Instructions and Application Guide, consult our website, under Broadband Grant Program – 2024 Application Process tab. Questions should be submitted to deed.broadband@state.mn.us and will be included in the FAQs posted on the website. Questions may be asked until the submission deadline of 1:30 p.m. central time on May 10, 2024.
For technical assistance for the Grants Management System, contact: Grants System Administrator Email: GMS.DEED@state.mn.us.
Individuals with disabilities who need alternative formats can contact DEED at 651-259-7578 for assistance.
For an alternative version of this document, please reach out to deed.broadband@state.mn.us.
Current Competitive Contract/Grant OpportunitiesView all of our current competitive contract and grant opportunities