MN Broadband Task Force August 2026: rural libraries and workforce training
The MN Broadband Task Force heard from national speakers on rural libraries and workforce training. Also, there was a big update from the Office of Broadband Development.
MN Letters to the editor on data centers (July 7-Aug 17 2026)
Careful readers will notice that data centers have become a bigger issue in Minnesota, the Midwest and beyond. I’m trying to track the upcoming events and news in real time. I decided to compile the letters ro editors and option pieces.
State News
- Rep Emmer talks about data centers, China and information
- A quick look at AI, business and training from the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis
- Sen. Klobuchar Wins Distinguished Service Award her Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act is mentioned
- U of M students create AI-generated butter busts at the MN State Fair
- MPR journalists talk about how data centers are spurring more folks to run for office
- Minnesota Schools are looking at AI policies. Examples from Morrison, Stearns and Ramsey Counties
- Rep. Kelly Morrison asks AI questions in a House Small Business Committee Hearing before the Congressional recess
- MinnPost looks at the impact of data center decision on local elections
- Can telehealth help close labor gaps in Minnesota’s healthcare industry?
- MN Star Tribue Editors put data centers on shortlist of hot topics for MN Gubernatorial candidates
- CleanCore Solutions closes $100M equity raise for AI data center in Minnesota
- Minnesota teen speaks about experience creating a national artificial intelligence policy
- Gubernatorial candidate Amy Klobuchar talks about data centers
- Broadband Breakfast looks at the Farm Bill, economic impact and BEAD in Minnesota
- Great River Energy, ITC Midwest and Xcel Energy host a series of projects to bring more powerlines to southern Minnesota
- University of Minnesota receives federal funding to advance AI breakthroughs
National News
- 85% of subscribers would lose service entirely without the Lifeline benefit
- Thoughtful TEDx Talk: How Americans Can Become Tech Policy Activists
- Connecting digital navigators with financial literacy skills helps build financial well-being
- NTIA takes steps to reopen the Digital Equity Competitive Grants
- Will the workforce be ready for building data centers and rural networks when BEAD projects hit the streets?
- The Farm Bill doesn’t advance from Senate Agriculture Committee, which means no advance for broadband provisions
- There’s hope for some iteration of the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program
- The data center debate, part two on 1A
- FCC takes Gigabit access off the broadband speed goal board
- Doug Adams reports on final BEAD dollars and technology
Vendor/Technology News
- FOX9 asks NDSU professor why Upper Midwest appeals to data center developers
- Do workers actually use Artificial Intelligence on the job?
- Doug Dawson from CCG Consulting looks at the FCC definition of broadband
- Understanding the privacy and security implications of interacting with AI
- Some data centers looking at requesting exclusive use of incoming fiber to possible detriment of local communities
- FCC claims Starlink has more than 7 million US subscribers
- Heartland Fiber Network to Cross Minnesota
- Doug Dawson looks at recent rights-or-way decisions with railroads
- Doug Dawson on reasons to support Public WiFi
- Federal appeals back fiber provider in railroad dispute
- “AI relies on access to broadband connectivity” and that’s an issue in remote areas
- Minnesota Rural Electric Association’s Energy Issues Summit includes power and data center discussions
- Tom’s Hardware reports 500+ local bans on new data center developments in US
- Doug Dawson looks at predicted drops in broadband subscriptions
- Some electric cooperatives lose interest in BEAD due to pole attachment rule changes
- LA Times looks into Meta’s $17-billion settlement and what it reveals about social media
Office of Broadband Development Updates and News:
- Office of Broadband Development Update Aug 26 2026: BEAD, Line Extension and Task Force notes
- MN Office of Broadband Development suggests using BEAD surplus funds to address rising costs
- Office of Broadband Development Update Aug 12 2026: BEAD, Line Extension and Digital Equity Grant
- MN OBD’s Bree Maki talks about impact of inflation on BEAD at the Mountain Connect conference
Local Broadband News
Bemidji
Bemidji considers data center moratorium (Beltrami County)
Cambridge
Cambridge City Council unanimously approved the one-year moratorium on data centers (Isanti County)
Carlton County
Carlton County passed a one-year freeze on new data center developments
Chisago
Chisago County Commissioners vote to impose a one-year moratorium on applications
Elk River
Elk River adopts one-year data center moratorium (Sherburne County)
Faribault
Environmental Commission to present data center moratorium to Faribault city council (Rice County)
Farmington
Mayor of Farmington talks about situation with local data center (Dakota County)
Fergus Falls
Fergus Falls denies data center rumors tied to RTC nondisclosure agreement (Otter Tail County)
Freeborn County
Freeborn County extends data center moratorium for another year
Harmony
Harmony city leaders hear from residents at Public meeting on data centers – next meeting Sept 16, 2026
More details on Harmony City Council meeting (Aug 5) on data center (Fillmore County)
Residents and leaders meet to discuss data centers in Harmony – next public meeting in Aug 26, 2026 (Fillmore County)
Hastings
Hastings City Council to vote on data center moratorium on Aug 17, 2026 (Dakota County)
Hermantown
The “Stop the Hermantown Data Center” group met to talk about strategies (St Louis County)
Google has scaled back its plans for a proposed data center in Hermantown (St Louis County)
Google is visiting MN communities (Pine Island & Hermantown) where they are looking at data centers Goodhue & Olmstead and St Louis Counties)
Hermantown data center discussion takes some turns that result in proposed greater transparency (St Louis County)
Inver Grove Heights
Data center lawsuit could cost Inver Grove Heights taxpayers millions (Dakota County)
Isanti
City of Isanti data center moratorium is now one year (Isanti County)
Itasca
Looks like Itasca County Commissioners are learning about data centers
La Crosse (WI)
La Crosse (WI) City Plan Commission advances 18-month moratorium on data center development
Minneapolis
North Loop Neighborhood Association outlines likely timeline for the data center proposal (Hennepin County)
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey speaks up about data centers
North Loop Mpls data center meetings raise questions in preparation for North Loop association on Aug 26, 2026 (Hennepin County)
Is it AI or is it art? And how do we differentiate? The Walker is looking into it
MPR speaks to Minnesota Design Center and their work leading discussion about data centers in Minneapolis (Hennepin County)
Outage at 511 Building in Mpls suspected cause of telecommunications disruptions last week
FOX9 tracks view on proposed data center locating to the former Star Tribune
Minnetrista
Minnetrista City Council approves a one-year moratorium on data centers (Hennepin County)
Monticello
Monticello gets more details on proposed data center (Wright County)
Nobles County
Lismore Cooperative Telephone updates Nobles County Board on FTTP network and line extension progress
North Mankato
North Mankato City Council prepares for data center moratorium vote (Nicollet and Blue Earth Counties)
North Mankato data center moratorium tabled for two weeks (Nicollet and Blue Earth Counties)
Northfield
Northfield moves to ban hyperscale data centers (Rice and Dakota Counties)
Pine County
Pine County extends data center moratorium to 12 months
Pine County adopts a 6-month moratorium on data centers will hold public meeting Aug 18, 2026
St Paul
DIGIDAZE in St Paul aims to boost digital confidence for attendees
Thief River Falls
EVENT Sep 15, 2026: Thief River Falls City Council holds public meeting on data centers
Wright County
Wright County Board to discuss “Satellite Ground Station” proposed for Rockford Township – apparently approved by the FCC
Upcoming Events, Opportunities and Resources
- EVENT September 9, 2026 (Brainerd): Entrepreneurs on Tap Fall 2026
- EVENT Sep 15, 2026: Thief River Falls City Council holds public meeting on data centers
- EVENT Sept 16: MN Broadband Task Force Meeting
- EVENT Sept 16: Harmony city leaders hear from residents at Public meeting on data centers – next meeting Sept 16, 2026
- EVENT Sepr 16, 2026: AI Skills Jam for Older Adults: Twin Cities, MN
- EVENT Sept 29, 2026: Rural Voice Townhall – Topic: Data Centers: Facts, Fiction and the Future in Faribault (Rice County)
- EVENT Sep 30- Oct 1: MTA (Minnesota Telecom Alliance) Fall Conference
- EVENT Oct 5, 2026: Bridging the Digital Divide Virtual Conference 2026: AI Behind and Beyond the Walls of Our Prisons and Jails
- EVENT Oct 8: MN Broadband Task Force Meeting
- EVENT Nov 12: MN Broadband Task Force Meeting
- EVENT Dec 10: MN Broadband Task Force Meeting
- RESEARCH: To what extent does community-level broadband connectivity reduce the time individuals spend waiting for goods and services?
- OPPORTUNITY: The 2027 MTA Annual Convention (Mar 15-17) is looking for presenters
- OPPORTUNITY: NDIA Trailblazer Applications Now Open!