The Office of Broadband Development speaks to Legislature
Office of Broadband Development (OBD) spoke to MN Senate Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development on February 18 and to the MN House Committee on Agriculture Finance and Policy on February 23. Both meetings were regularly scheduled presentations on the state of broadband as they have done in the past.
MN Broadband Task Force met Feb 2026: Rural Health Research and Technologist Computers
The Broadband Task Force met today; their goal is to focus on education in the first few months of the year. They heard from folks at the Mayo on rural health research and from a Task Force member Ini Augustine who does digital equity work in Hennepin County through Technologist Computers. They also got an update from the Office of Broadband Development.
State News
-
New MN Bill introduced: A bill extending the Legislative Commission on Cybersecurity HF3860
- MN budget outlook projects $3.7 billion surplus now, no deficit in next biennium
- New MN Bill introduced: Funding for a digital platform to provide youth with info on internships and job opportunities (HF3004)
- Data center opponents ask MN Legislature to consider statewide moratorium, new regulations
- New MN Bill introduced: A bill extending the Legislative Commission on Cybersecurity SF3863
- New MN Bill introduced: A bill related to energy and data centers
- New MN Bill introduced: A bill to allow some State meetings by interactive technology HF3736
- Opinion Piece in Star Tribune: Slow down the rapid growth of data centers
- New MN Bill introduced: A bill for an act relating to data privacy HF3353
- FCC announces RDOF areas that are now eligible for broadband funding including some in MN
- Success of Mobile Health in State Rural Health Transformation Plans, including MN
National News
- New Report: Broadband Access in Indian Country – recommendations for improvement
- New: Diversity in Early-Career Tech Policy Roles: Surveying Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities in the Field
- Benton reports on the NTIA Broadband Non-Deployment Listening Sessions
- Best uses for BEAD Nondeployment funds Part 1: Meeting about Part 2 tomorrow (Fed 18)
- Journal of Community Informatics Special Issue: Charting Sovereignty in the Digital Age: Tribal Leadership, Broadband, and the Rise of Tribal Digital Sovereignty
- Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick testifies on broadband before the Senate Appropriations Committee
- NTIA clarifies BEAD rules for all providers, including satellite
- Competitive Intelligence: looking at what other State Legislatures did in 2025
- FCC Report: Internet Access Services: Status as of December 31, 2024
Vendor/Technology News
- Midwest FiberPath to build multi-conduit long-haul backbone to support AI
- New: MN Report of the Technology Advisory Council: cybersecurity, AI, data sharing and production management
- Bluepeak to invest $35 million in FTTH in southwest Minnesota
- FCC approves Amazon Leo launch of 4500 more satellites
- Mediacom completes network upgrade in Cedar Rapids (Iowa)
- AT&T completes acquisition of Lumen’s consumer fiber business
- Why Microsoft’s “Community-First” AI Data Center Promise Isn’t the Full Story
Office of Broadband Development Updates and News:
- Office of Broadband Development Mar 1 2026: April Webinars, Broadband Development Training Series: Navigating PLUS (Permitting, Land Use, and State Systems)
- OBD director Bree Maki speaks to Broadband Communities about local providers’ concerns with BEAD stipulations
- Office of Broadband Development Feb 25, 2026: BEAD & Line Extension updates
- Office of Broadband Development’s Bree Maki positive about broadband deployment plans
- Office of Broadband Matters Feb 11, 2026: Upcoming meetings
Local Broadband News
Bois Forte Band
Bois Forte Band in Northeastern MN Begins Construction on $20 Million Tribal Fiber Project
Clinton Township
Consolidated Telephone Company (CTC) expands broadband to Clinton Township (St Louis County)
Broadband expanded to nearly 400 households, businesses and farms in Clinton Township
District 12A
Rep. Paul Anderson running for re-election to MN House – mentioning past work on broadband
Duluth (and Superior WI)
ImOn Communications to expand fiber to Duluth MN and Superior WI
St Louis County
MN Broadband Task Force Member and St. Louis County Commissioner, Paul McDonald, seeks re-election
St Paul
Gov. Tim Walz has authorized $1.2 million to Aid St. Paul Cyber Attack Recovery
Twin Cities
A look at fiber consolidation in MN, especially the Twin Cities
Waseca
Waseca County celebrates strong progress on rural broadband
Willmar
Willmar City Council considers rescinding award to build broadband for of Willmar Connect
Willmar City Council approves selling bonds for Phase 1 of Willmar Connect project
Willmar City Council to meet Feb 17 to discuss city-owned broadband network
Winona, Goodhue, Wabasha and Dakota Counties
Hiawatha Broadband Communications to bring fiber to Southeast MN (Winona, Goodhue, Wabasha & Dakota Counties)
Upcoming Events, Opportunities and Resources
- EVENT Mar 5: Telecom Act at 30: Universal Service as the North Star
- EVENT Mar 9-11: MTA 2026 Annual Convention and Trade Show
- EVENT March 26: Ignite Cup 2026 – Live Pitch Night in Red Wing MN
- EVENT April 2: OBD Department of Labor and Industry
- EVENT April 9: OBD Minnesota Indian Affairs Council (MIAC) and the Office of the State Archaeologist (OSA)
- EVENT April 16: OBD Office of Pipeline Safety
- EVENT April 23: OBD State Historic Preservation Office
- EVENT April 29: MN Broadband Task Force Meeting
- EVENT May 21: MN Broadband Task Force Meeting
- EVENT June 18: MN Broadband Task Force Meeting
- EVENT Aug 13: MN Broadband Task Force Meeting
- EVENT Sept 16: MN Broadband Task Force Meeting
- EVENT Oct 8: MN Broadband Task Force Meeting
- EVENT Nov 12: MN Broadband Task Force Meeting
- EVENT Dec 10: MN Broadband Task Force Meeting
- OPPORTUNITY: MN Technology Advisory Council seats open
- Worth sharing: That text or email about your “tax refund” is a scam