eNews: MN Monthly Recap Nov 2024 Please Take Survey, $90M MN Local Gov Broadband grant matching

MN Broadband Grants has garnered almost $90M in local government match over the years
Looking at Minnesota grants (Border to Border and Low Population Density) over years, the grants have garnered almost $90 million in local government investment. That includes county, city, township, tribes and others. In fact, 44 MN Counties or tribal areas have seen local government match for MN State Broadband grants. Has yours?

OPPORTUNITY: Please take the MN County Broadband Survey
MN Broadband County Profiles are coming up soon; the broadband survey is intended to get local input, updates and stories. Please take a moment to take the survey.

MN Broadband Task Force Nov 2024: line extension, BEAD updates and annual report preview
The Broadband Task Force got updates from the Office of Broadband Development, including an in-depth report on the Line Extension programs as they distribute their Round 3 funding. Also, the Task Force members were able to see and react to the annual Task Force report. Here are paraphrased recommendations:

Affordability Recommendations:

Digital literacy – a searchable directory online and printed of resources
Grant funding that addresses access, should also have funding for barriers (list of barriers includes childcare, language …)
Use social services and libraries to reach people and fund more digital literacy advocates
Looked at Northstar Digital Literacy Standards – we want a version of it

Economic Opportunity Recommendations:

Reestablish ACP or similar
Authorize research on economic impact of digital exclusion (like Blandin did in the past)
Ensure market creates family-supporting jobs
Digital job straining through DEED
Work with MN high ed institutes to develop digital training for k-12

Mapping, Policy & Funding Recommendations: