Category Archives: economic development

EVENT April 12: GigaZone Gaming Championship & TechXpo in Bemidji

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Fun news from Paul Bunyan Communications…

The GigaZone Gaming Championship and TechXpo, a Paul Bunyan Communications event, will return on Saturday, April 12, 2025 at the Sanford Center in Bemidji. The event is now one of the largest rural gaming and technology expositions in the United States and recognized nationally within the broadband industry for its innovative way to showcase the cooperative’s all-fiber optic network while engaging with the gaming community and anyone interested in technology.
“Last year was another awesome experience. We had close to 4,000 come out and experience this one-of-a-kind event. There were more gaming opportunities than ever before, Danielle Feinberg from Pixar Animation Studios was our special guest and over 25 exhibitors were on hand demonstrating their use of technology to thousands of potential students, customers, and employees. It was an amazing day and we are excited to bring it back again on April 12.” said Gary Johnson, Paul Bunyan Communications CEO/General Manager
The GigaZone Gaming Championship will feature free gaming on various console and arcade games, numerous tournaments, door prizes, and more. There is no cost to enter the tournaments or for any of the gaming. Tournament details will be posted on the GigaZone Gaming Discord, Twitch channel, and Facebook page as well as http://www.gigazonegaming.com New this year will be the GigaZone Gaming High School Invitational, a Rocket League tournament exclusively for High School esports teams. Schools interested should contact Fenworks at https://fenworks.com/contact-us/
The GigaZone TechXpo will expose a growing regional audience to technology innovation and help them turn their technical skills and enthusiasm into successful careers right here in northern Minnesota. Start-ups and companies creatively leveraging technology will be able to demonstrate their innovation to a large group of tech-savvy potential employees. Educators and educational institutions can have their tech-oriented students show off projects and promote the technology training programs they have to offer. There is no cost to be an exhibitor but space is limited and the exhibit must creatively display the use of technology. Applications will open January 3 with a deadline to apply by February 28, 2025 at www.gigazonetechxpo.com
This one-of-a-kind event showcases Paul Bunyan Communications’ IT and web development team, which custom-built and integrated much of the online technology being used and leverages the speed of the GigaZone, one of the largest rural all-fiber optic gigabit networks in the country. The entire gaming event is run off a single residential GigaZone Internet connection.
“Our cooperative continues to expand our advanced fiber network that brings many advantages to our members including extreme speed and low latency, which are critical for the best online gaming experience. The GigaZone Gaming Championship showcases just that,” added Leo Anderson, Paul Bunyan Communications Chief Technology Officer.
“It is the biggest rural gaming event I’m aware of and the TechXpo makes a lot of connections to potential careers. Many of the exhibitors were able to attract new employees, students, and/or customers through the event. I don’t think people realize just how innovative our schools and businesses are and how they implement the latest technology into their operations or education curriculum. The TechXpo is a showcase for that in a personal, interactive, and exciting way,” added Brian Bissonette, Paul Bunyan Communications Marketing Supervisor.
This Paul Bunyan Communications event includes the talents of many local partners, including NLFX, Accidently Cool Games, Northern Amusement, and the Sanford Center, as well as support from several regional and national partners.
Paul Bunyan Communications has one of the largest and fastest rural all-fiber optic networks in the United States, with over 6,000 square miles throughout most of Beltrami County and portions of Aitkin, Cass, Hubbard, Itasca, Koochiching, and St. Louis Counties. The Cooperative provides GigaZone Internet with speeds up to 10 Gig, digital and high-definition television service

Report shows broadband can transform a rural community with a MN example

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Route Fifty reports…

New research shows a more than 200% growth rate for businesses in rural areas with high broadband utilization rates.

The article highlights many examples, starting with Minnesota…

One of the biggest rural gaming events in the country, the GigaZone Gaming Championship and TechXpo, is supporting young people to explore technology and all it offers in Bemidji, Minnesota.

“We had started to see nationally some very large events that were selling out quickly, all about eSports,” Gary Johnson, CEO of Paul Bunyan Communications, told the Daily Yonder in a Zoom interview. “And we thought, what a better way to deliver a new, exciting opportunity for our region and leverage the network that we have built and our members have invested in.”

And they give some general stats and perspective…

“What we find is when you expose young kids to broadband, what research has shown is you actually get higher broadband adoption rates,” Weinstein said. “And it’s not the kids who are using their allowance to get broadband subscriptions for the household – it’s the adults. That exposure that kids have in various ways actually gets their parents exposure as well and gets you those higher broadband adoption rates in communities.”
The report also found that in areas with high adoption rates of broadband, self-employment increased by 10% or more.
“Counties that effectively utilize broadband are seeing marked improvements in local economic dynamism, suggesting that broadband can help mitigate the economic disadvantages often faced by rural areas,” the report concluded.

 

Land O’Lakes’ Teddy Bekele talks about precision agriculture

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Minneapolis Star Tribune reports on digital aspects of farming with Land O’Lakes and their CTO (and chair of the MN Broadband Task Force) Teddy Bekele…

Land O’Lakes appointed Bekele the company’s first tech executive in 2018 amid a growing need to connect agriculture with big data and insights. Six years on, it’s still in Bekele’s job description to “lead digital transformation” at the 103-year-old cooperative, especially as artificial intelligence unites a common theme tech and ag share: optimization.

“For the amount of inputs you’re putting in, you’re getting the maximum outputs,” he said. “That’s the core of where our insights and AI come into play.”

Bekele’s team of about 250, plus another 750 consultants and contractors, are dispersed throughout the cooperative’s business units: dairy foods, WinField United crop inputs, Purina animal feed and Truterra, in addition to areas like supply chain. Some of those employees even report to other leaders, giving tech a seat at many tables.

“We’re going to help them get smart about data and analytics,” Bekele said. “As a technology organization inside Land O’Lakes, we’re only successful if Land O’Lakes businesses are successful, and the business is only successful if the retailers and farmers are successful.”

The shift to technology has been strategic…

A Purdue report found as the global population rises, it could take a “miracle that dramatically shifts the annual rate of corn yield improvement” to feed everyone.

“We’ve proven [corn yields] can push over 800 bushels per acre, yet the average is way below that” at around 180 bushels of corn per acre, said senior R&D manager Eric Spandl. “So how do we bring that up and be more efficient with the acres that we have?”

IRRR funds and Minnesota North College hosts 1500 students for STEM career day

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Hometown Focus reports…

Approximately 1,500 fifth and sixth grade students from 22 area schools attended the Iron Range STEM Showcase in Hibbing earlier this month. Students had hands-on experiments led by Range Engineering Council volunteers, local businesses and 25 colleges showcasing STEM opportunities on the Iron Range. A Workforce Development grant from the Department of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation (IRRR) helped offset bus transportation costs.

Local businesses included Cirrus, Cleveland Cliffs, Jasper Engineering, L&M Radiator, Minnesota Power and NewRange Copper Nickel. Other organizations present included Hibbing Police Department, Minnesota Discovery Center, Minnesota Department of Transportation, The North St. Louis Soil and Water Conservation District, Range Astronomy Club/ Paulucci Space, Science Museum of Minnesota, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, St. Louis County, STARBASE and Northern Minnesota Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration.

IRRR awarded a $75,000 grant to Minnesota North College (True North Stars Perkins Consortium). It is a program established to help area students in the middle grades and beyond make informed career and education choices. The consortium offers career exploration and development activities that encourage students to consider factors such as salary, job growth, work environment and flexibility when considering a career path.

Iron Range STEM Showcase in Hibbing introduces students tech opportunities

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The Ranger, a publication of Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation, talks about programs in Northern Minnesota that promote technical training and workforce encouragement…

Approximately 1,500 fifth and sixth grade students from 22 area schools attended the Iron Range STEM Showcase in Hibbing earlier this month. Students had hands-on experiments led by Range Engineering Council volunteers, local businesses and 25 colleges showcasing STEM opportunities on the Iron Range. A Workforce Development grant from IRRR helped offset bus transportation costs.

Local businesses included Cirrus, Cleveland Cliffs, Jasper Engineering, L&M Radiator, Minnesota Power and NewRange Copper Nickel. Other organizations present included Hibbing Police Department, Minnesota Discovery Center, Minnesota Department of Transportation, The North St. Louis Soil & Water Conservation District, Range Astronomy Club/Paulucci Space, Science Museum of Minnesota, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, St. Louis County, STARBASE and Northern Minnesota Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration.

IRRR awarded a $75,000 grant to Minnesota North College (True North Stars Perkins Consortium). It is a program established to help area students in the middle grades and beyond make informed career and education choices. The consortium offers career exploration and development activities that encourage students to consider factors such as salary, job growth, work environment and flexibility when considering a career path.

The IRRR grant helps transport the students to the annual STEM Showcase and to other events including school field trips to tour local businesses, meetings with professionals to learn about careers and hands-on trade exploration events to better educate students and job seekers about the variety of career paths in the region.

Learn more about Range Engineering Council.

Email Danae Beaudette or call her at 218-735-3022 for Workforce Development grant information.

Data Centers looking to move to Farmington MN: movement forward but some concern from residents (Dakota County)

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Twin Cities Pioneer Press reports…

Up to a dozen data centers could be coming to Farmington, despite objections from some residents.

Nearly 343 Dakota County acres have caught the attention of Tract, a data center land acquisition and development company, to be the potential site of the Farmington Technology Park, but the project hinges on rezoning three parcels of land.

Based in Denver, Tract is looking at the Fountain Valley Golf Club property at 2830 W. 220th St. and two nearby properties that were recently annexed into the city of Farmington from Castle Rock Township and are now owned by Independent School District 192, according to city documents.

The parcels, located near the intersection of Minnesota 50/220th Street West and Minnesota 3/Chippendale Avenue West, are currently zoned as a mixture of agriculture, highway business, park/open space and low- and medium-density residential and would need to be rezoned as mixed-use commercial industrial for the project.

The current site plan, which is subject to change as an end-user has not been identified, includes up to 12 data center buildings spanning more than 2.5 million square feet and two administrative buildings, according to city documents.

The company expects to invest $50 million to $100 million to develop the infrastructure required for the technology park, said Graham Williams, chief investment officer for Tract, in a written statement. “We expect $5B+ to be invested into the data centers themselves as the sites are built out,” Williams added.

The proposal passed but not without some concerns from neighbors…

The Farmington Planning Commission voted 5-0 last month to recommend the rezoning and preliminary plat to the Farmington City Council.

Residents who spoke at the Sept. 10 planning commission meeting raised a variety of concerns including the potential noise emitted from up to 12 data centers, the height of the buildings that would be constructed between two established neighborhoods and the end-user of the site abiding by the site plan that Tract and the city would agree to.

 

AI in healthcare a game changer and MN is paving the path

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Minnesota Monthly reports…

Unlike traditional AI, which analyzes data to make predictions or classifications, generative AI can create novel outputs such as text, images, and unique insights. This is opening up new horizons of possibility for health care, from developing new drugs and personalizing treatment plans to interpreting medical imaging and streamlining administrative tasks.

New applications of AI are becoming more visible and pervasive at health systems across the state. These advances are not only pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in health care, but also making AI an integral part of the patient experience. In Minnesota, leading health systems such as Mayo Clinic, Allina Health, Hennepin Healthcare, and M Health Fairview are at the forefront of integrating AI into their medical practices. Read more about how Dr. Mark Lobanoff, of OVO LASIK + LENS, is shaping the future of ophthalmology with cutting-edge AI solutions.

The article paints a fun picture of what health care might look like in 2045.

A Preliminary Evaluation of the ACP Program

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There is an interesting report on a preliminary evaluation of the ACP program. I was interested to see the impact that ACP had on employment opportunities for women, but not men…

Conceptually, this study distinguishes two types of program impact. First, it examines the more immediate goal of the ACP program, namely, to promote and help sustain broadband access among vulnerable households. Second, the study probes for broader socioeconomic impacts related to labor market outcomes.
Our primary hypothesis is that the more favorable labor market outcomes observed for eligible individuals are related to increased remote work opportunities, and that these effects will be stronger among female than male workers. We hypothesize that the massive expansion of hybrid work arrangements that followed the pandemic is a key explanatory factor for this trend, and that ACP expanded labor opportunities for women who otherwise would have more limited labor market prospects due affordability constraints in broadband access. …

The results largely confirm our working hypothesis. Overall, eligible individuals are more likely to have home broadband than comparable ineligible individuals, with stronger effects for having any type of Internet connection than for having high-speed (wireline) broadband. Positive impacts on labor force participation and employment are observed for women (but not men), and the effect appears to be driven by an increase in remote work arrangements. Broadly speaking, the results suggest that the positive impact of ACP goes beyond first-order effects on adoption, as the program helped lower-income workers adapt to the expansion of non-traditional labor arrangements in the aftermath of the pandemic.

CORI on rural broadband and economic growth featuring Bemidji

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The Center on Rural Innovation looks at the role of broadband in rural economic growth and resilience. Here are some of the high level findings..

Compared to the control group, rural counties in the high broadband utilization group have:

  • Business growth rates that are 213 percent higher
  • Self-employment growth rates that are 10 percent higher
  • Per capita income growth rates that are 18 percent higher
  • GDP growth rates that are 44 percent higher

And charts to back up the data.

They also look specifically at Bemidji, broadband and the impact of cooperatives, Paul Bunyan Communications and Beltrami Electric Cooperative…

Paul Bunyan Communications’ growth from a local telephone cooperative to a leading broadband provider reflects a broader trend of community-driven infrastructure development. The cooperative’s investments, including the $100 million GigaZone project, northern Minnesota’s first high-speed gigabit fiber network, have positioned Bemidji and surrounding areas as innovative, connected communities. To further enhance its services, Paul Bunyan Communications also offers a range of value-added broadband services. For residential areas they provide SmartHome services complete with enhanced parental controls and advanced network security powered by their GigaZone mobile app. To support WiFi roaming they have implemented the SmartTown initiative, providing outdoor WiFi in public spaces and ensuring that residents and businesses stay connected, even in previously underserved areas. Additionally, the SmartBiz program caters to the specific needs of local businesses by offering secure networks, easy-to-manage employee access, and redundancy options to safeguard against power outages — all without the need for extensive IT support. This is particularly beneficial for small businesses that might not otherwise afford these enterprise-level services.

Beltrami County’s cooperatives, Paul Bunyan Communications and Beltrami Electric Cooperative, have a collaborative history characterized by shared ventures and mutual support within their community-focused missions. One of their notable partnerships was the formation of Cooperative Development, LLC in 1996, a joint initiative between the two cooperatives to create Bemidji’s Technology Park. This business park was established to provide a conducive environment for technology-oriented businesses, offering advanced communication and infrastructure services. Supporting new tech businesses is beneficial for the community, as tech jobs are high-paying and high-growth jobs that help ensure that the region remains competitive and resilient in an increasingly digital economy.

And based on Beltrami County’s steady business growth it seems Paul Bunyan Communications’ approach is paying off. Since 2010, the number of businesses in Beltrami County has grown by 12.1% (which amounts to an average annual increase of 1.1%), outperforming both the state and the country as a whole (see Figure 10 above). AirCorps Aviation General Manager Erik Hokuf said that the exceptional broadband services in Bemidji have made it possible to expand their business, generating $4 million in annual revenue instead of an estimated $300,000-$400,000 without fiber. In addition to the growth of new businesses and revenue, the per capita income in Beltrami County also increased by 7% between 2020-2022.

Research connects online learning with employment

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Recent research shows a number of connections between online learning and employment…

  • Individuals engaging in online learning activities are more likely to be employed.
  • Online learning engagement is as useful as online course enrollment, underscoring the importance of communication via online tools and interactive learning experiences that can supplement formal or structured learning methods.
  • A significant portion of the observed rise in employment linked to online education can be attributed to increased participation in the labor force.
  • Online education shows greater benefits for older individuals, potentially mitigating age-related barriers to employment and promoting lifelong learning.
  • Online education has a stronger impact on women’s employment, suggesting it can help address gender disparities in the job market by enhancing women’s employment prospects.

Good motivation for digital literacy instructors and students.

CTC Partners with CWA to Implement Broadband JATC-Upper Midwest Apprenticeship Program

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CTC reports…

CTC recently partnered with the Communications Workers of America (CWA) to create the first broadband-centered apprenticeship for the states of Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota, and North Dakota.
Communications Workers of America Broadband JATC-Upper Midwest has been officially recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) as a Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) sponsor and approved by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry Division of Apprenticeship. CWA and CTC look forward to welcoming other ISPs in the region into the program.
This apprenticeship will provide on-the-job, instructor-led, and online training to employees that are new to the telecommunications industry and want to pursue a career as a Broadband Technician. The program will provide recipients with instruction on industry standards, equipment installation, troubleshooting, and safety training.
CTC Member Service Technicians Carter Atwater and Burke Netland are the first two apprentices to go through the program.

Governor Walz announces $5 million to medical tech companies for business expansion

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The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development reports…

Governor Tim Walz and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) today announced more than $5 million for three business expansion projects in the state. The projects are expected to support 175 jobs and leverage $72 million in outside investment.

“We didn’t achieve our ranking as a top state for business by accident. We earn that reputation by investing in business expansion, supporting innovation, and driving business growth,” said Governor Walz. “These projects will create good-paying jobs and expand Minnesota’s leadership in health care and medical technology.”

“Minnesota is one of the best places for businesses of any size to break ground, build, and expand,” said DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek. “The Job Creation Fund and Minnesota Investment Fund’s record-breaking year is testament to how tirelessly DEED’s business development programs and staff work to make Minnesota a place businesses want to settle and thrive.”

The Job Creation Fund (JCF) provides financial incentives to new and expanding businesses that meet certain job creation and capital investment targets.

Eligible companies may receive up to $2 million for creating or retaining high-paying jobs and for constructing or renovating facilities or making other property improvements.

The Minnesota Investment Fund (MIF) provides financing to help add new workers and retain high-quality jobs – with a focus on industrial, manufacturing, and technology-related industries – increasing the local and state tax base and improving Minnesota’s economic vitality. Funds are awarded to local units of government, which provide loans to assist expanding businesses. Some of the loans may be forgiven if specific goals are met.

Details on individual projects below:

Baxter Healthcare Corporation, Golden Valley – JCF $1,840,000, MIF $1,370,000

Baxter Healthcare Corporation is a global medical technology manufacturer headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, with locations around the world. The proposed expansion will create a new research and development center in Minnesota that will support the company’s kidney care business. The total expansion cost is $40.7 million and is expected to create 70 jobs.

LISI Medical Remmele, Inc., Big Lake – MIF $550,000

LISI Medical — a division of LISI Group — is a medical device manufacturer that specializes in implants and instruments for minimally invasive surgery, as well as orthopedic, spinal, and trauma surgery. The proposed expansion will grow the existing Big Lake facility by approximately 45,000 square feet, bringing it to a total of 152,000 square feet. The total project cost is $23.5 million and is expected create 30 jobs within the first three years.

Simpli-Fi Automation, Inc., St. Paul – JCF $268,000, MIF $1,000,000

Simpli-Fi Automation, Inc. is a St. Paul-based company specializing in cutting-edge technology for health care. The company is planning to develop a 7,500-square-foot facility in St. Paul to create advanced materials used in health and environmental sensors that are vital for improving patient care and monitoring environmental conditions. The $12.2 million expansion is set to create or retain 75 jobs over the next three years.

MEPI report looks at Prevailing Wage for broadband projects in Minnesota

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The Midwest Economic Policy Institute has released a report on Broadband Construction Projects and Prevailing Wage in Minnesota. They strive to make the case that requiring prevailing wages for all broadband projects (last and middle mile included) would benefit the Minnesota economy. The report is likely a response to the prevailing wage bill that passed into law last earlier this year, a bill that was heavily contested by providers.

They come at it from two angles. First, saying that prevailing wages are good for the economy…

In particular, two labor market institutions have been linked with upward economic mobility for skilled construction workers and increased investments in registered apprenticeship programs: collective bargaining agreements with trades unions and prevailing wage laws.

Without prevailing wages, contracts will go to non-locals…

Both the data and the preponderance of the economic research demonstrate that expanding prevailing wage coverage to more broadband infrastructure projects would deliver positive impacts in Minnesota. It would prevent many broadband infrastructure projects from being awarded to out-of-state contractors and nonlocal workers. This would keep more of Minnesota’s tax dollars in the local economy, increasing labor income and consumer spending in communities across the state. It would also raise wages, boost productivity, increase investments in registered apprenticeship programs, and improve worksite safety outcomes in the broadband construction industry.

And that having broadband is good for the economy…

They conclude…

Over the next six years, Minnesota will be leveraging more than $800 million in taxpayer-funded grants to spur an estimated $1.9 billion investment in broadband infrastructure. Access to reliable high-speed internet service will be expanded to 159,000 homes, businesses, farms, schools, and other community institutions. These investments will raise worker income and expand access to jobs while addressing “digital divides.” However, Minnesota will only maximize the economic development impact of these investments if they are built by local contractors who are able to attract, develop, and retain skilled trades workers during a historic labor shortage. Without action, Minnesota risks either delays in constructing this critical infrastructure or significant leakage of taxpayer dollars to out-of-state businesses and nonlocal workers, who take their earnings and consumer spending back home with them upon project completion—reducing economic activity in the state and limiting its growth potential.

To meet the moment, Minnesota could expand coverage of its prevailing wage law to most or all broadband infrastructure projects that receive taxpayer-funded grants, similar to its existing policy on other types of public works construction projects. The state’s prevailing wage law levels the playing field for contractors, improves job quality for workers, bolsters registered apprenticeship programs that train the next generation of skilled workers, and increases workforce productivity while reducing worksite safety issues. However, at least 8-in-10 broadband infrastructure projects funded with state grants since 2014 have been excluded from prevailing wage coverage.

The state could consider eliminating the exemption for “last-mile” broadband projects and reducing the coverage threshold from a grant of $200,000 to a total project value of $25,000 consistent with prevailing wage coverage on all other state-funded projects. Repealing these exceptions for prevailing wage coverage could have the ancillary benefit of improving transparency and accountability for taxpayers, with certified payroll reports becoming accessible. Additional measures could include inserting prevailing wage and other labor standards into the scoring system for awarding broadband grants to applicants and applying high safety standards on broadband infrastructure investments. These reforms could help ensure that broadband projects are built safely, on-time, and within budget by construction businesses from Minnesota who employ skilled local workers earning market-competitive wages and family-supporting benefits.

Regardless of how you feel about the issue, the report is full of helpful tables and data on the Minnesota Broadband grants.

Gov Walz uses online GIS maps to promote business development in MN

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ESRI reports on how Minnesota uses technology to promote business development and one of the factors they promote is access to broadband…

In a competitive business climate, Minnesota relies on two practices to attract and retain companies: provide data that shapes investment decisions and deliver it in a way that’s easy to understand.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and his team have developed what he calls an executive portfolio—a collection of data-rich maps showing business executives everything from broadband capacity in Ely to youth skills programs in Minneapolis and the cost of living in Watonwan County. The technology behind this insight is a geographic information system (GIS).

At a recent tech conference, Walz explained that simple maps conveying complex information support the state’s quest for positive outcomes among businesses and residents.

Access to decision-shaping data and effective communication through GIS technology are two of the factors that have made Minnesota a top destination for business investment. It ranked sixth in CNBC’s list of the top states for business in 2024.

“The tools of GIS and the science behind this and the ability to communicate make a huge difference,” Walz said at the conference, reflecting on his time in the governor’s office.

And more broadband specifically…

For tech startups or logistics companies dependent on mobile workers, broadband accessibility helps determine the ideal place to invest in operations. With GIS maps showing broadband access and performance metrics, Governor Walz and Minnesota’s economic development team provide decision-makers with data that is simple to interpret, even as it drives complex decisions.

Broadband is top economic issue says Heartland Forward

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Telecompetitor reports…

“Think about electricity — we just turn it off and on. Broadband should be the same way.”

That’s what Heartland Forward’s Executive Vice President Angie Cooper told Telecompetitor in an interview last week. Heartland Forward describes itself as a “think and do tank” focused on 20 states it defines as the heartland: Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin. …

According to Heartland Forward and Cooper, as its representative, access to broadband is the single most important economic issue facing the United States heartland today.

They offer as proof…

As proof of the claim that access to broadband is a leading economic issue, Cooper cited a 2021 Deloitte study that found that “a 10-percentage-point increase of broadband penetration in 2016 would have resulted in more than 806,000 additional jobs in 2019, or an average annual increase of 269,000 jobs.”

While Heartland Forward’s focus was initially on the “three A’s” — availability, affordability, and adoptability — they have, more recently, focused on affordability and adoptability.