From the Office of Broadband Development…

Broadband Matters: Office of Broadband Development Updates

• BEAD updates
• Register for OBD BEAD weekly office hours + NEW application information session
• Governor’s Task Force on Broadband, meeting April 17
• Resource reminder: Broadband Development Tuesday Training Series, State Historic Preservation Office
• The American Connection Corps, accepting applications for Members and Host Sites

BEAD updates

The first round of subgrantee selection, 11a, opened on March 24, and stays open through April 21, 2025, at 4:30pm CST. Resources for this are posted on the OBD BEAD webpage.  

Additional and updated BEAD resources for Minnesota include:   

• An updated Version 1.3 BEAD Application User Guide (4/8/2025) was posted to provide clarifications on questions 2 related to the location selection download; 5, 6, and 51 related to Network Design; and question 21 letter of credit and performance bonds.
• From NTIA, the ArcGIS Pro Permitting and Environmental Information Tool (APPEIT) Overview and User Instructions were posted. This tool is intended to help federal broadband grant recipients and subgrantees identify permits and environmental factors as they plan routes for their broadband deployments.  
• The Minnesota BEAD Contractor Directory is available as a resource and is a voluntary list consisting of the names and contact information of the contractors and subcontractors that have requested to be included in the directory. To be listed in the directory, complete and submit the Minnesota BEAD Contractor Directory Form. 
• Updated FAQs are available, BEAD Subgrantee Selection FAQs (4/4/2025). Please continue to submit all questions for the FAQ via online web form below. OBD will continue to review responses as a team and with our federal partner, and the FAQs will be updated weekly. Subgrantee Selection questions pertaining to 11a must be submitted by April 15 for OBD to have sufficient time to review.

Register for OBD BEAD weekly office hours + NEW application information session

OBD has the following resources and upcoming virtual events for the federal BEAD program in MN.  

First round of subgrantee selection, round 11a:  

• Final session of office hours for the first round, 11a, of the subgrantee selection process on Tuesday April 15, 11am register here.
• Resources from previous BEAD office hours are posted on the OBD webpage.

Second round of subgrantee selection, round 11b: 

• Application Information Session for the second round, 11b: Tuesday May 6, 11am, register here.
• Office hours for the second round, 11b, of the subgrantee selection process on Tuesday May 13, 11am and Tuesday May 20, 11am.

Registration for the third round of subgrantee selection, round 11c, will be available soon. BEAD office hours sessions will pause while applications are under active review. BEAD Office hours will not be recorded unless otherwise noted.  

For any questions on office hours, please email deed.broadband@state.mn.us. 

Governor’s Task Force on Broadband, meeting April 17

The Broadband Task Force will be meeting on Thursday April 17 at 10am. This meeting will be held virtually and is open to anyone from the public to attend. The Teams link to join the meeting will be included as usual at the top of the meeting agenda, which will be posted on the Broadband Task Force’s webpage.

Resource reminder: Broadband Development Tuesday Training Series, State Historic Preservation Office

Last April, OBD hosted the Broadband Development Tuesday Training Series: Navigating PLUS (Permitting, Land Use, and State Systems). As Minnesota reenters construction season, this series has valuable reminders and resources from agency experts providing an overview of their agency, and information on current processes, timelines, goals, and best practices working on broadband projects and with broadband grantees. 

The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) covered their perspective of how SHPO reviews state-funded Border to Border broadband projects under state laws. These guidelines were developed for state grants only and broadband specific guidance is available on the SHPO Broadband Project Review Guidance webpage.

• View the SHPO presentation slides and the presentation recording.

The American Connection Corps (ACC), accepting applications for Members and Host Sites

The ACC is an AmeriCorps program that leverages national service to combat rising cultural divides, social and economic inequities, and community insularity by placing members in digitally disconnected communities. ACC members work to expand economic opportunities, bridge social networks, and expose both themselves and their communities to new possibilities. Members serve alongside local partners on initiatives designed to foster connection and build a brighter future for all involved. 

Applications are open for prospective Members and Host Sites for 2025—2026.