Today, the Office of Broadband Development presents to MN House Committee on Agriculture Finance and Policy:

Monday, February 23, 2026, 1:00 PM
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Co-Chair: Rep. Paul Anderson holds the gavel
Co-Chair: Rep. Rick Hansen
Location: Capitol G3

The presentation will look remarkably similar to the recent presentation given to the Senate Committee last week.

*this is a link to the live video, broadband starts around 3:15. I will replace this with the archive video once available.

QUESTIONS:

• Q Line Extension: I heard they were being assessed an extra fee because their connection was copper. In Stearns County, but this county wasn’t a part of the county effort to get service.
  We will need to look at the location. Line Extension won’t overbuild.
• Any impact from tariffs?
  Not yet – as far as current construction. But we hear with BEAD that suppliers are having challenges. BEAD is required to buy American/build America – but we’re running into shortages there because the supplies weren’t for broadband only. We may be looking for waivers.
• Q: We have a lot of folks on LEO & Fixed wireless – do you know cost of location? And how it might increase?
  Within BEAD: LEO didn’t apply during program so no limitations. Both were awarded another way at $900-1800 per location but we don’t know what we will be buying. Would have to dig to get stats on fixed wireless. Average cost in BEAD was around $5000 taking in account all modes of broadband. Highest cost was $36,000 per location. It was not accepted. But we did get approval for $22,000 per location.
• Q: Shouldn’t we try to get fiber for a minimum of $5000? What’s our goal with fiber?
  BEAD is its own thing. State programs and goals are different.
• Q: LEOA and fixed wireless – do they meet state requirements for speeds?
  No
• Q: Why are we doing this in rural areas?
  It helps the childcare shortage by allowing childcare workers to do professional development at home. Also it makes reporting to the State easier.
• Q: Who builds the broadband? Do you work with contractors or do you put our an RFP?
  OBD grants are for broadband providers.
• Q: Do you have issues with workforce shortages?
  ISPs generally plan in advance. But it is a challenge.
• Q: Given the federal funds and state investment when will we get ubiquitous broadband?
  We thought it would be $1.2 billion.
• Q: How is MN doing?
  We have been doing this work for a long time so our questions are more complex than other states.
• Q: It used to be that local providers got dibs on funding. Is that still true?
  We do rank applications by local support. It behooves providers to build relationships with the community.