The Office of Broadband Development presented PowerPoint slides, shared information and took questions. I’ll paste the PPT, notes and questions below:

If you have a rebuttal, please submit ASAP, in case of technical difficulties. Deadline is approximately Sept 20.

Volume 2 is close to approval. Once that happens, we have 365 day select subgrantees, however we can’t choose until we know which areas need to be served, which is not likely to happen until after January.

Questions:

Q: When will I see a change on the map based on bulk challenges?
It should say “challenge” on the map. We’re waiting for a potential rebuttal. Then it will be adjudicated and after that there should be a difference.
Q: I don’t see a change.
You don’t see the list because Connected Nation challenged on your behalf. If you had challenged, you would see the difference.

Q: We got a notification of extension of rebuttal, but when I go into the portal, I don’t see a date change.
It should have changed. Can you send us an image?

Q: Have all of the challenges been process by third party yet?
Yes, we believe so. We are still waiting on some of the third speed tests.

Q: On the rebuttal spreadsheet, looks like it’s missing some columns. I can’t filter by town.
We use location ID, especially in CSV download. No plans to change that.

Q: Would it be wise to be working on plans now?
Yes. If you want a say in what technology comes into your area, it would be wise to start working with likely providers. We are hoping to do a pre-qualification list.
We need to define project areas after the first round of funding.

Q: Will there be any construction in 2025?
Not likely.
Because of the short seasons in MN, we expect that projects/contract will start in 2026. Once the contract is in place a provider has 4 years to complete the project. (So doesn’t make sense to sign a contract in October in MN.) But sounds like you won’t need all permits in hand to sign contract – but you do need a plan.