Bringing Together Government IT Leaders, Innovators, and Visionaries to Promote Transformative Change!
The GOVIT Leadership Summit & Symposium, produced and hosted by the Public Technology Institute, is the can’t miss event for all government IT across the nation. Join us this fall to see where the future of government IT is going!
This Year’s Theme is Navigating Change in Uncertain Times: Let’s Solve Today’s Challenges—Together!
Not purely broadband here, but certainly a look at use of technology. Also – fun for anyone whose dad ever yelled, “there’s a boy on the phone” to see it come around again. The Minnesota Star Tribune reports…
While a majority of American 11-and-12-year-olds have their own smartphones, the Minneapolis mother of three is among a growing cohort of parents looking back to their own childhoods for a lower-tech alternative. They’re ringing up the landline most households have now abandoned, whose old-school handsets are so rare parents have to coach kids how to use them. These modern “landlines,” which are actually Wi-Fi-enabled home phones, have proved popular. One kid-friendly version, the Tin Can, is on a several-month backorder.
Millennial and Gen X parents who spent their teenage years stretching spiral phone cords into their bedrooms and talking until their receiver-ears burned, are reviving the home phone to improve their kids’ communication skills without the risks a pocketful of internet can bring.
Hatling and other Minnesota parents say the landline has introduced their kids to the lost art of conversation, given them more independence and helped them take responsibility for their relationships.
But first, Gen Alpha had to learn Landline 101: How to put your mouth near the receiver.
Why did they cut the cordless?
The landline appealed to Hatling because she was concerned by research in “The Anxious Generation” connecting smartphones’ arrival to rising rates of anxiety and depression among teens. Her own observations worried her, too.
The MN Broadband Task Force learned about computer ownership today. The Office of Broadband Development gave an update on BEAD and other work. They are planning to do a broadband conference on April 29, 2026, at the Heritage Center. Morning sessions will be general, and the afternoon might include be tracks such as compliance.
The sub groups met for the second half of the meeting. I was able to meet with the Mapping, Policy, and Funding group. There are a few recommendations, including prioritizing funds for Line Extension.
10:00 a.m. – 10:10 a.m. Welcome
Teddy Bekele, Chair, Minnesota Governor’s Task Force on Broadband
10:10 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.Approval of minutes from October Task Force Meeting
approved
10:15 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.Digitunity Presentation Present on work increasing computer ownership and methodology for a sustainable computer ownership ecosystem and its components of supply, preparation and deployment. Scot Henley, Executive Director, Digitunity and Karisa Tashijan, Senior Director of Programs & Strategic Partnerships, Digitunity
Questions:
What can’t people do without a large screen?
Writing essays for your GED is very large. Telehealth can be OK but quality of care without large screen isn’t as effective. Writing resumes is harder. Anyone needing assistive technology is better off with a large screen.
Fragmented knowledge happens – folks can comment on Facebook but not read a spreadsheet.
Working remotely is hard without a large screen.
What about tablet vs large screen?
People need the tool they need. Chromebooks are OK with students. Tablets can be better with older folks.
That choice is not there right now.
Do you see use of single use computers like Raspberry Pi?
It’s not for wide use – but great for STEM training.
There are a lot of Chromebooks who have been able to turn an old Chromebook into a more useful device.
Affordability is a big deal. Maybe Raspberry Pi could be good if low cost.
Also we need computers that are more durable and more repairable.
About the MN stats – are there are more states like MN and economic info on why this makes sense?
Yes – we have maps on our website. The latest census report could be helpful. Are you asking – What about MN causes a higher level of computer ownership?
We are looking for stats for our annual report.
11:00 a.m. – 11:20 a.m.Office of Broadband Development Overview Bree Maki, Executive Director, OBD
Round 7-10 grants are open. Hoping to close our round 7 this year.
Connected Nation has visited many times to do speed tests.
Line Extension – contracted to complete projects within a year. Trying to get to locations that aren’t aligned with BEAD. There are 32 projects in rounds 1 and 2. 16 projects in round 3 and need to be done this year.
Probably going to do a round 5 for Line Extension.
Trying to use up Capital Project funds. Line Extension has been part of that.
There are no addition funds from Border to Border grants to give out. Didn’t request state funding because of the promise of federal funds.
BEAD
Submitted final, revised proposal on Sep 4. Been going back and forth with them a not.
Last week the proposal went to the NTIA tech group. They may make more recommendations and/or will move us forward. Waiting to hear about next step.
We included 5 waivers for matches – but we heard that they are not interested in waivers. This is related to the newer cost thresholds. ($23,000 is the most we can ask for one location.) MN number per location is in conflict with some MN policies.
New BEAD admin says – that ISPs accept BEAD funding in might make them ineligible to get other federal funding for those locations. That does concerns ISPs. Providers are less interested in accepting BEAD now and risking future funding. This is another layer of uncertainty
We are working on environmental requirements with NEPA.
OBD got training from Mankato State U on government, ethics and AI. It was excellent. We can be your resource on AI for the annual report.
OBD is going to do a broadband conference – April 29, 2026 at the Heritage Center. Morning sessions will be general and afternoon might be tracks such as compliance.
How many households will get broadband from BEAD once funded?
By rule we need to serve 76,000. That is in conflict with things like state goals.
So we should mention that in the report – right?
May I give a presentation about my Digital Navigation training with Hennepin County Libraries?
Yes.
December meeting will be all together – hoping that the draft report is ready. No speakers are planned. We have heard that people like to do the report work during the meetings. We may need another meeting if the work isn’t done.
Subgroups will be working on statements of purpose and recommendations.
The background pieces will be created by the Office of Broadband Development.
11:30 a.m.—11:40 a.m. Break
11:40 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.Subgroup Work Sessions
Use Teams breakout rooms for subgroups to have time to work on their statement of purpose and recommendations for the annual report.
I’m joined the Mapping, Policy, and Funding group.
They are looking for staff recommendations.
Looking for folks to spell out acronyms.
Looking for ways to call out addresses that won’t get broadband as defined by MN Legislature. And maybe that info would help make the case for Line Extension. Also, might be helpful to ask how many are registered but not available.
Recommendations:
Advancing broadband deployment by aligning strategies with community needs. Adding in state supported coordination of nonprofit and community efforts – such as a kiosk where people can go to get info on other MN resources.
Cost reduction policies that could help with low density areas. Like sales tax exemptions for fiber.
Continue and expand mapping by the state to help inform policies and funding
Prioritize funding for Line Extension.
We need to separate actual and legitimate locations
Helpful to know what households are subscribing to.
We’ve always had scalability of 100/100 required in grant applications. It seems like that could be a benchmark.
What missing in the broadband world? We need the economic impact of broadband in general.
It would be nice to have state maps that become the go-to, definitive map. And easy access to the maps.
Do we need to meet one more time after OBD reviews our draft?
Maybe. Or we can use the December meeting.
Do we have content for all of the pieces we need?
We could beef up info on what the state is doing for mapping for that it continues to be a funding priority.
yes. Not to get into the weeds but
Can I get more info for the task force wide email?
Yes
An upcoming event from the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society…
Join us on November 20 at 2:00 p.m. ET for a webinar on program evaluation for the non-profit community. Available via the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society’s YouTube page, the webinar will open a conversation on designing and conducting research to understand the effects and effectiveness of digital inclusion activities. Panelists will reflect on how to fit evaluation into common resource constraints that non-profits face, as well as the opportunities for evaluation across digital inclusion ecosystems.
Dr. Caroline Stratton, Research Director at the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, will moderate a discussion with:
Dr. Amy Gonzales, Associate Professor in the Department of Communication and Associate Director of the Chicano Studies Institute at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Dr. Gonzales is the lead author of A Simple Evaluation Guide for the Digital Equity Community, published in 2024 by Digitunity.
Dr. Yeweon Kim, Postdoctoral Researcher at the Center for Trustworthy AI at Seoul National University and Benton Opportunity Fund Fellow. Dr. Kim is a co-author of A Simple Evaluation Guide for the Digital Equity Community.
Dr. Richard Feistman, Chief Learning and Evaluation Officer of Tech Goes Home. Tech Goes Home’s 2023 publication of Theory of Change research informed a 2024 ten-year strategic plan for the organization and associated evaluation efforts.
Meg Käufer, Chief Visionary Officer of the STEM Alliance. Käufer has led the STEM Alliance’s evaluations of multiple initiatives and programs, including the Yonkers Y-Zone Digital Equity Project and Connect Westchester.
Tune in to learn more about what organizations of all sizes should consider and prioritize in evaluating their programs and broader impact in the community.
The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced today that it is working on reforms across its Tribal broadband programs to reduce red tape for Tribal governments, promote flexibility, and align NTIA’s grant opportunities to better serve Tribal connectivity. Specifically, these reforms will streamline the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP) and the native entity set-aside from the Digital Equity Act through a new Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to support Tribal broadband access.
NTIA intends to launch the new NOFO in Spring 2026 and will make available any remaining tribal broadband funding (estimated to be at least $500 million).
“NTIA’s goal is simple: stretch every dollar as far as possible to achieve universal Tribal connectivity and better serve Tribal communities’ needs,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce and NTIA Administrator Arielle Roth. “This strategic realignment of our Tribal grant programs will reduce administrative burdens, prevent duplication, and ensure consistency across NTIA’s broadband initiatives. Most importantly, it will maximize the impact of this funding, helping to connect as many Tribal households as possible.”
NTIA will continue to award equitable distribution grants, but all further infrastructure and use and adoption grants will be awarded under the Trump Administration’s new rules. NTIA will also soon be announcing a formal Tribal Consultation to allow Tribal governments to provide input on the next funding round.
The funding for the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program stems from the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 ($1 billion) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act ($2 billion). In total, NTIA has already made 275 awards totaling $2.2 billion with TBCP funding. Through TBCP’s first NOFO, NTIA awarded more than $1.87 billion in funds through 226 projects impacting more than 400 Tribes. NTIA’s second TBCP NOFO has awarded $360 million in funds across 48 projects. NTIA is continuing to make Equitable Distribution awards under the second NOFO. NTIA is not rescinding any obligated awards.
Teddy Bekele, Chair, Minnesota Governor’s Task Force on Broadband
10:10 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.Approval of minutes from October Task Force Meeting
10:15 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.Digitunity Presentation Present on work increasing computer ownership and methodology for a sustainable computer ownership ecosystem and its components of supply, preparation and deployment.
Scot Henley, Executive Director, Digitunity
Karisa Tashijan, Senior Director of Programs & Strategic Partnerships, Digitunity
11:00 a.m. – 11:20 a.m.Office of Broadband Development Overview
Benya Kraus, from the Southern MN Initiative Foundation, introduced the day to a sold out crowd. Today is the start of the conversation; the Initiative Foundation has planned for at least two more events in the region. They have seen a growing interest in the impacts of data centers across the state. This is an economic disruption that communities are experiencing.
U of M is working on Data centers, energy and water Research to help communities address data centers
Looking at water and energy impacts of data centers
How can we create tools for communities to decide what to do with data centers?
They are looking at Zumbro & Root River watersheds. Interesting because the decisions are made in a silo despite the fact that a large community is impacted by the decisions.
Looking at collection decision making, taking into consideration multiple POVs
Iin terms of energy – communities have a range of energy companies and solutions and not much is yet known about the impact of data center
Hoping to have the research and tools out July-Sep 2026
Not for OR against but was to help people make the right decisions for their communities
Senator Frentz
He’s very excited to talk about data centers
Serves on Minnesota Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate Committee
MN had 40 data centers before 2025
Minnesota made legislative decisions in 2025 –
Advantages of data center – economic
Energy needs will double in the next 10 years due largely to data centers
Data centers create jobs as they are being built
In Washington data centers came in with clean energy – but when the big data centers use clean energy that means the residents get edged to using fossil fuelts
In Virginia, they have a lot of data centers and they are having energy issues
IN MN, energy companies must serve the whole community
Data centers uses 100 million gallons of water a year
Data centers can be a push to get renewable energy and economic development.
New MN Legislation means:
Water: twice a year data centers have to report on water use. DNR and PUC issues permits. The data center becomes public once they apply for permits. But they can get pre-application information. Requires an aquifer test,
Utilities: need to get PUC cert of need. PUC won’t allow permits when a power company can’t prove that they can commit to serving the data center and the community. Still need to be focus on clean energy 2040 goals
Community benefit – data centers will help lower income residents with weatherization
Green building standards –
We should push for data centers in MN because we do have environmental requirements – unlike areas like Texas
PANEL
Dunham – repping commercial interests
Going to give the 101 on data centers; AFCOM is an organization that loves to talk about data centers
Data centers aren’t new – just a room full of computers
Almost all technology involves a data center
Types of data centers in order of size: enterprise, colocation, edge, hyperscale
AI is a big impact and it’s growing – and the heat used to run the computers needs to be cooled. They are coming up with new ways to cool the computers.
The Green Grid is a group that focuses on energy use
Water is hard. Hyperscalers will ask for as much land, water and power as possible. Evaporative cooling uses 15gpm/MW – Closed Air-Cooled Chiller uses none. Some data centers won’t need as much water.
Noise: better engineering can mitigate the noise
Pollution: energy generators are only used in emergencies
Traffic: 1,000 builders need to build a data center and they all drive to work
Jobs: trades jobs during 24 months (building. After that uses highly skilled IT workforce and trades jobs to maintain MEP equipment
Why are people interested in MN? Because MN has space and power. And MN First Stop.
Freshwater – repping environment
Does water research, policy and education – trying to bridge many sectors
The tension? Jobs versus water supply and ecosystem
Many industries use water.
Data centers need power and water. Decrease one means increasing the other.
A medium data centers use the same power as a small town
Need to focus on groundwater. SE MN is the part that has the large amounts of useable groundwater. Water in this area is more than 60,000 years old
Water is recyclable. It does renew but we are also looking at dipping into water from long ago.
Minnesota does monitor water use – and use that info while looking at permit – but only in the local community
Water is being used at a rate faster than it’s renewing
Changes in climate are also impacting water access.
Pumping of water impacts chemicals in the ground
Economic development teams were going straight to municipalities for permits – not involving the public.
Priority of Use Statute
Surface water is a good way to see and track water use
Looking to create a water use atlas for MN
Blue Earth Light and Water– repping communities
Blue Earth has water
Has an RO (reverse osmosis) water plant
City operates water and electricity
3100 people 241,000 MWH – which is a good range
Population has been declining
They were approached by a third party interested in data center.
We have low cost energy. They have wind and solar.
They can handle a 6 and 15 MW data centers without additional work required.
They spent a year working on the data center.
They made sure that data centers utilities were isolated to protect local residents.
Worked with a number of partners.
Questions:
Communication is a big deal. Some cities have failed to notify the city council. How can we trust that the local government will share info?
Development is one thing – there’s also speculation. There’s a lot of talk that happens before anything is set in stone. Elected Officials do make decisions.
Public boards will share their agendas. In Blue Earth there were at least 20 steps they took to get things done.
How big is the footprint of the data centers in Blue earth?
Relatively small. The big center is 100×150.
What is negative pricing?
Think about how energy flows – it’s like running a boatload of generators into a funnel. Sometimes we need something to take energy away from the grid.
What about energy transmission? The permitters are looking to new federal regulation. How will that impact MN rules?
The federal government is shutting down projects in MN because of transmission rules. It will increase rates. We’re all going to pay for it.
What about impact of using water in closed loop system?
It’s pipe that goes from the building to the power generator. The water stays the same. In an open system, the water evaporates.
So this will be a balance of economic development and water. How is the use of water reporting? How many permanent jobs?
The buildings are large – and 1200 people will build it, which means a slew of people coming into work for a while.
Open loop doesn’t allow for much water reuse. Closed loop makes it more possible.
Usually people are specific about the proposed water/energy use – it is considered proprietary.
The new legislation requires reporting twice a year.
Blue Earth monitors energy use (no water is used).
Tools for Economic Developers
Great River Energy – wholesale power supplier coop
Working toward carbon free MN 2040 standards – about 44 percent today
Been working on data centers since 2010
Have had requests for more than 6 GW – the big hyperscalers
They have a member process to walk members through interactions with data centers and third party buyers. Look at feasibility to viability.
Challenges
Landowner control
Public perception
Long lead times
Regulatory and entitlements
Political support
Sustainable design means we work and require renewable energy
When working with third parties, they don’t always know who the actual tenant will be
10 years ago the energy/water solutions were different
Opportunities require partnership, clarity of process, communication plan, education effort and stakeholder engagement
CURE
Nonprofit protecting landscapes and community
Working on data centers for a year
Law requires:
Nothing more required in terms of communication
Environmental and other reviews
Supposed to have public reviews – during permitting
Sales tax exemption – OK for equipment and software. Energy is not included.
Labor – must be paid prevailing wage
Must use green building standards
Going to local government can be difficult depending
Greater Mankato Growth
Chamber of commerce, economic developers et al
They help local businesses – and recruit businesses
Transparency if the law: once someone decides to move forward, there are many hoops to get through before things get permitted. Meeting notes and agendas are often available.
NDAs are rarely used – but have been used. Eventually, details will be known.
When does hypothetical become real in terms of communication with the pubic? We don’t always know who is really looking but we share what we can.
Questions:
How do you balance communication with need to work with businesses?
The public is frustrated – and projects that go wrong are becoming high profile. That’s been a learning experience.
We ask who will benefit? Who will pay consequences? Who will be impacted?
Cities do have leverage with permitting – how does that opportunity invite creativity? And what does it happen?
The hyperscale data centers are coming to the table with creative solutions. They want to create win/win solutions.
DNAs have been used forever. It’s the way things work. Projects will not happen because people refused NDAs.
How do you remain business friendly and new development?
We spend a lot of time planning for the future. We don’t like to make decisions on the fly. Citizens are required for citywide pans. People need to stay engaged and the cities want that help.
There are folks on fixed incomes. Prices are going up. We need to grow our tax bases to make sure that we can provide services in our communities.
Have you been approached by data centers? Have you had discussion with your members?
No approaches. We do talk to our members. We want to advocate for our members and our marketplace.
Development codes predicate when you have a public meeting. As an economic developer, you don’t have a project until you have an application.
There are two law suits related to data centers. How can we be more transparent with AUAR?
AUAR – there is a public comment period. Then there is a time for responses. The public comments won’t shut down a project.
You can always use data practices act to get information. Sometimes info is public but for practical purposes isn’t easy to access.
It helps for local deciders to have advance information on what the public wants.
AUAR: Alt urban area renewal – like an environmental review. It’s more for regional development. A complaint is that they are sometimes not as transparent as they should be.
What was the communication plans?
Sharing info in meetings. Social media. Local newspapers.
What are best practices for compliance?
It depends on whether they have plans or agreement.
There’s a case study in Centralia Washington on a project that garnered a community benefit trust fund.
What about sustainability?
There are a number of studies on data center designs – from green roofs and animals on campus.
Some folks are already including decommissioning clauses in the initial agreements.
Which comes first application or environment review?
Application is often for building permit.
We’ve heard that NDAs are tool. What about NDAs for businesses versus elected officials?
It does get murky when we look at public officials. Technically the applications process seems to be that moment.
The problem really comes up with hyperscale data centers.
Should people signing NDAs be the same people who get to make the final decisions.
Mediacom Communications today announced the launch of multi-gig and symmetrical-speed broadband services to more than 28,000 households across 13 counties in rural Minnesota. The network upgrades extend to residents in the communities of Pemberton, Lake Crystal, Springfield, Sleepy Eye, Mountain Lake, Montgomery, Silver Lake, Lester Prairie, Dassel, Darwin, Litchfield, Lafayette, North Redwood, Redwood Falls, Lower Sioux, Hector, Franklin, Morton, Buffalo Lake, Bird Island, Danube, Veseli, Lonsdale, Belle Plaine, Waldorf, Janesville, Butterfield, and St. James.
There is a shortage of speech-language pathologists across the country and in Minnesota.
According to the National Institutes of Health, 1 in 14 kids has had a communication disorder in the past year. The University of Minnesota says it’s working on creative solutions to address the issue.
“It’s really improved his quality of life,” Jessica Weiche said. Her son, 8-year-old Everett Weiche, has been in therapy with a speech-language pathologist since he was a baby and sees an SLP every week at his elementary school in Plymouth.
Emily Aust, president of the Minnesota Speech-Language Hearing Association, said there are districts in Minnesota with openings for SLPs.
And they talk about telehealth as part of the solution…
Becky Ludewig Lulai, director of clinical programs in speech-language pathology at the U of M, said they’re launching telehealth programs in two rural Minnesota school districts.
They have also structured their program to get more graduate students out in schools.
“We have 30 students each getting three external rotations in our programs,” Lulai said.
Communication is essential in school, and students like Everett continue to build on it.
The Senate voted 60-40 Monday to pass a continuing resolution that would reopen the government, plus some appropriations bills. One of the pieces of legislation would provide about $109 million for rural broadband programs.
The Department of Agriculture’s ReConnect program would see $50,750,000 of that. The bill would direct the funding to rural areas in which at least 90 percent of households lack access to speeds of 25 megabits per second (Mbps) download and 3 Mbps upload, provided there isn’t an existing state or federally funded deployment already planned. Recipient ISPs would have to deploy 100 * 20 Mbps.
Another $40,767,000 would be made available for distance learning and telemedicine grants, also managed by the USDA.
Zeitgeist Zinema 1, 222 E Superior St, Duluth, MN 55802
Join us for an in-person viewing of a powerful conversation featuring CURE’s Sarah Mooradian, who will speak on the growing water demands of data centers—why it matters, how it affects rural and urban communities, and what we can do to ensure a more equitable and sustainable future. Don’t miss this critical conversation on technology, water, and justice. Come learn, connect, and be part of the change. Free and open to the public.
This news isn’t that new, but I thought it was timely for Veterans Day. Valley News Live reports…
The Fergus Falls Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 25 recently donated funds to cover yearly wi-fi and cable television costs at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Fergus Falls. They presented a check for $15,063.32, which brings their total donation to $31,063.32.
“Technology at our Minnesota Veterans Homes is crucial for our Residents to keep connected with their families, our community and the world,” the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs said.
They say the technology fund makes it possible for veterans to stay informed and entertained by allowing them to watch the news and their favorite shows in resident common areas. In addition, many veterans have computers and other devices that require internet access to communicate with their family and friends.
A $1 billion grant to improve rural health care won’t offset the much bigger losses from looming cuts to the federal Medicaid health program, but Minnesota wasn’t going to miss out on its chance for the money.
The state completed its application on time last week for the rural health transformation funding, which President Donald Trump’s administration and congressional Republicans offered to soften the blow of Medicaid cuts. Wisconsin similarly announced its appeal for funding.
“This is a lot of money,” said Diane Rydrych, health policy director for the Minnesota Department of Health. “It’s really significant for Minnesota if we get this grant, but it’s also a really tough time. It’s not going to be sufficient funding to address all needs.”
Next up: an unsettling wait. Minnesota should find out in the next month if it will receive its share.
Each state applied for $200 million per year for five years, but the actual amount could vary. Some have worried Republican-led states could have an advantage, given Trump’s rhetoric against Democrats and actions in Democrat-led cities and states, such as military deployments and immigration crackdowns.
Sonds as if the funding could be used for telehealth…
Other goals in the next five years include an increase in telehealth medical appointments and a 10% reduction in rural Minnesotans who return to hospitals with avoidable problems. Essentia Health employs paramedics who visit with patients and help prevent their hospital readmissions, though it has made cuts to the program.
The federal government billed the funding as one-time support for five years, so Rydrych said the state focused its application on up-front investments that could pay off after the money runs dry. Technology upgrades to boost telemedicine visits were one example.
President Donald Trump’s nominee to serve as undersecretary for rural development at the Department of Agriculture, Glen Smith, pledged Wednesday to review how the agency can better coordinate its rural broadband expansion efforts.
Senator Tina Smith had some concerns about changes in the USDA…
Conversely, Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., voiced concern over the administration’s broader plans for USDA, noting “a lot of talk about moving things around within Rural Development,” including potentially shifting rural broadband programs to the Commerce Department.
“In Minnesota, this is giving people a lot of concern, because they trust the USDA on these issues,” Smith said. “They know that rural challenges are unique, and they believe that the USDA understands that.”
Smith responded saying he “couldn’t agree more,” emphasizing that USDA already has “the mechanisms for these programs” and he “couldn’t imagine them being housed in an agency other than USDA.”
Travis Halbur of Lismore Cooperative Telephone Company met with the Nobles County Board of Commissioners Tuesday morning to discuss a new project endeavor with intent to request funding assistance from the county.
Carter Grupp, consulting project manager at Finley Engineering Company, was also present to offer more information on the project, which is intended to bring a fiber line into Rushmore, Ellsworth and other non-grant subscribers throughout the county.
Some specifics on the proposal…
The total cost of the project is estimated at $682,000. Nobles County was asked to provide 20%, or $136,400, as a local commitment toward an application to secure more funding through the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Broadband Line Extension Connection program . The program awards grants for the extension of existing broadband infrastructure to unserved locations, which includes Ellsworth, Rushmore, Worthington and Fulda. …
With the line extension grant application due Nov. 25, there isn’t much time to gather funds. Though, the project is not meant to be a large-scale investment.
The proposed project would include about 18.74 miles of mainline cable, serving about 55 passings, which is an umbrella term to define an end user, such as a home, business, school, library or farm. Of those, 53 would be in Nobles County, while two would be in Murray County.
The cost per subscriber comes in at around $12,400, with the cost per mile at $36,000, which is pretty standard according to Grupp.
“We’re looking to leverage existing state funding to not only build last mile fiber, but also feed potentially four communities in Nobles County that don’t have access to fiber,” Grupp said.
