MN Broadband Task Force meeting March 2025: presentation from DNR and updates

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The MN Broadband Task Force met today. They gave Diane Wells a nice send off. The also heard from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources on rights of way and permitting processes and issues.

Notes and PPTs:

10:00 a.m. – 10:10 a.m. Welcome from Teddy Bekele, Chair, Minnesota Governor’s Task Force on Broadband

10:10 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Approval of minutes from February Task Force Meeting

10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Presentation from the Department of Natural Resources
Overview of the work and collaboration from DNR on broadband across the state
Cheryl Kelley-Dobie, Assistant Director, DNR
Joe Rokala, Regional Operations Supervisor, DNR
Banjamin Schafer, DNR

Questions:

The changes to permits from DNR has been great. Thank you! Is the DNR is considering allowing broadband/electricity companies (combined) to use one permit for new construction?
Not sure but we are seeing the need.
Also sometimes people want to double up on electricity
Legislation says one utility at a time but that doesn’t mean we can’t talk about it.

10:45 a.m. – 11:10 a.m. Office of Broadband Development Overview + BEAD and Digital Opportunity Updates
Bree Maki, Executive Director, OBD
Diane Wells, Deputy Director, OBD
Hannah Buckland, Digital Equity Program Lead, OBD

  • HR Update: Diane is retiring. Jenn Frost will replace her. We hired another person for land use. Working on filling other positions.
  • All funding has been put into contract. There are 120 active grants.
  • DEED had 2 programs that Leg Auditor looked at including OBD. Grant Round 6. It will be released tomorrow. Overall programs were effective. However, they found some improvements for reporting.
  • BEAD updates
  • New NTIA assistant person was appointed yesterday. But new director is not confirmed. We continue on asis – until we hear anything else.
  • Closed prequalification program March 13; grants should be open March 24 but there may be changes. There are weekly Office Hours.
  • 40 people applied for pre-qualification and that list will be shared on the website soon
    MN has 76,000 locations that are BEAD eligible
  • The BEAD contractors list has changed – and has turned into a directory. The companies listed will not be vetted. Hope this will go live next week.
  • Digital Equity Funding
  • Working on county formula for economic need for digital capacity grants

11:10 a.m. – 11:20 a.m.  Legislative update

  • Deadlines for bill is April 4, 11
  • House is now bipartisan led
  • House and Senate have heard broadband bills
  • House HF2279 – to expand OBD scope SF2045 will be heard tomorrow on municipal franchising bill
  • No funding bills have been heard

11:20 a.m.—11:40 a.m.  Subgroup updates/recommendations

  • Formally assign a lead to the group
  • Subgroups are working but need more time to discuss topics as a whole
  • Can we focus on fewer, bigger challenges?
  • Can we add protection of public rights of way
  • Should we look at updating speed goals

11:40 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Other Business, April’s Meeting Plans, and Wrap-up

  •  Big congrats to Diane Wells on retirement. And on her recent service award.

 

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