An introduction to the Minnesota Broadband Charter from the Office of Broadband Development…
Minnesota has a goal to achieve border-to-border high-speed internet access to the state. The Minnesota Office of Broadband Development (OBD) helps administer state and federal grants to achieve this goal. To deploy these linear infrastructure projects, broadband projects must navigate a complex range of permits, licenses and authorizations to ensure the project is achieved through timely, coordinated and sustainable methods.
The Minnesota Broadband Charter Group (the Charter) was created in the fall of 2024 by OBD in coordination with other Minnesota state government agencies, including:
- Department of Transportation
- Department of Labor and Industry
- Department of Natural Resources
- State Historic Preservation Office
- Office of the State Archaeologist
- Indian Affairs Council
- Office of Pipeline Safety
- Department of Commerce
- Gopher State One Call
The Charter meets regularly to collaborate, streamline and prioritize environmental and land-use permitting and approvals to effectively and efficiently deploy broadband infrastructure to all Minnesotans.
Working closely with the Charter, OBD has developed clear process maps and created mechanisms to share timely information about upcoming state and federal broadband grants and their potential impact on permitting needs. The Charter also engages with federal agencies to review guidance related to the National Environmental Policy Act, the National Historic Preservation Act and other applicable federal laws, ensuring alignment and efficiency across all levels of government.
The Broadband Charter has become a vital forum for collaboration among state agencies, enabling streamlined permitting processes and improved communication while respecting each agency’s mission. By adding dedicated capacity and fostering partnerships at both state and federal levels, OBD and the Charter are ensuring that broadband infrastructure can be deployed efficiently and effectively – bringing reliable connectivity to every corner of the state.
To stay up to date on news and resources like this from the OBD, sign up for our biweekly newsletter.