Governor Tim Walz recently announced the appointment of Angie Dickison to serve as Executive Director of Broadband Development. She has been filing this position in an interim capacity since July 2019.
“Internet access is both an economic and quality of life issue,” said Governor Walz. “Angie is passionate about ensuring that all Minnesotans have high-speed internet access for work, learning, business, and health care, and she understands the importance of working together to achieve Minnesota’s goal of border-to-border high-speed internet access.”
“Broadband internet access is critical to helping our communities thrive, from businesses getting products to customers, to students logging on to do their homework. And during this time of crisis, ensuring that every Minnesotan has high-speed internet access is more important than ever,” said Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. “I am grateful that Angie is leading this work on behalf of all Minnesotans.”
“Over the last year, Angie led a number of key initiatives — from our Border to Border Broadband Development Grant Program to increasing telecommuting policies in our local communities,” said Steve Grove, Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). “She’s a proven bridge builder between communities, individuals, businesses, and service providers across the state. And now as Executive Director, she will play a critical role helping cultivate economic vitality, connectivity, and digital equity in communities throughout Minnesota.”
Prior to joining DEED in 2019, Dickison led the State of Wisconsin Broadband Office, where she worked since 2015. She previously served as the technology director for Lake County, Minnesota.
“I am honored and excited to take on this role in an official capacity,” said Dickison. “I look forward to continuing to help Minnesotans understand available broadband options and to work with communities and other stakeholders on expanding access and services across the state.”
Dickison received her MBA from the University of Wisconsin and she was a Public Policy Fellow at the University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs in 2014. Her community involvement includes prior service on the Blandin Foundation’s Broadband Strategy Board as well as appointment by Governor Mark Dayton to the Governor’s Task Force on Broadband.
As part of DEED’s Economic Development Division, the Office of Broadband Development is a key service in the state’s efforts to build stronger communities, and helps Minnesotans understand broadband options available and work together to improve availability and use of high speed broadband services. Since 2014, DEED has awarded over $105 million in broadband infrastructure grants to fund 140 projects across Minnesota, with the goal of border-to-border broadband access.
On August 7, Governor Walz issued a proclamation congratulating 23 cities, townships and counties across Minnesota as telecommuter-friendly communities. As the first group of communities participating in the new Telecommuter Forward! Program, they have committed to coordinating and partnering with broadband providers, realtors, economic development professionals, employers, employees, and other stakeholders to promote the availability of telecommuting options in their region.
The Minnesota Broadband Task Force met online today. I have recorded the session below. It requires quite a MacGuvyer setup, which means the sound quality can be less than perfect but here it is. (I’ll post a picture for your amusement.)
