The Ely Echo reports…

Paul Peltier, Executive Director of RAMS (Range Association of Municipalities and Schools), attended Fall Lake’s township meeting to inform the board about what has been discussed at RAMS meetings. Gruba has been attending RAMS meetings.

Peltier gave a history of RAMS which was formed in 1939. The organization serves 27 townships, 27 cities and 15 school districts all in the Taconite Assistance Area. He was happy to hear Fall Lake had received one half of the Taconite Tax allotment of $16,696. He said this is money to be used by the township that does not have to be levied.

Peltier’s main issue to discuss was about broadband and what money is available. He said the BEAD Act (Broadband Equity Access & Deployment) has $652 million federal funds available to the state of Minnesota. He will try to get as much money north as possible. RAMS connects communities that want broadband that are underserved and unserved with providers.

Peltier had an interactive tool that showed what areas would qualify for funds, areas that showed a cluster of properties that a provider may consider to provide service.

One area on Sunset Road showed they were declared served because Lake Connections had received a grant for broadband in the area. This area is not served.

Another area is at the end of the Fernberg were there is a cluster of properties that are unserved. Peltier is willing to work with areas to see if they can tap into the BEAD Act funding. There is less than 30 days until the first volume of applications is due.

The tool will be put on the Fall Lake Township’s website.

Peltier asked what are the township’s priorities, other than broadband. The supervisors listed off roads, housing, the community center and ambulance concerns.