Category Archives: MN Office of Broadband Development

The 2025 MN Broadband Task Force Annual Report is out!

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The Office of Broadband Development and MN Broadband Task Force unveiled the 2025 MN Broadband Task Force Annual Report at the Task Force meeting today. It includes a concise description of progress toward the statutory speed goals…

Minnesota has made measurable strides: as of 2025, 93.84% of homes and businesses have access to broadband at 25/3 Mbps, and 92.11% can reach speeds of 100/20 Mbps. Yet, more than 121,000 households remain without basic service, and nearly 155,000 are underserved at higher speeds.

The report also outlines recommendations to policymakers…

Key Recommendations for Governor and Legislature
Affordability, Economic Opportunity, and Workforce Development
• Modernize Federal Affordability Programs – Advocate for federal reforms to the Lifeline program, increasing the monthly subsidy to match the former ACP levels ($30 for most households, $75 for Tribal lands). This would make broadband service genuinely affordable for low-income Minnesotans and help prevent service cancellations due to cost.
• Workforce Development and Local Hiring – Develop and fund Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs and registered apprenticeships with Minnesota schools and colleges to address labor shortages and build local capacity for broadband deployment. Encourage grant recipients to implement workforce best practices (outlined in Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 116J.395) and prioritize local hiring provisions, ensuring jobs created are family-supporting with fair wages and benefits.

• Support for Anchor Institutions – Prioritize funding for anchor institutions (libraries, schools, community centers) to provide digital literacy training, including resources for software, hardware, staff (such as digital navigators), outreach, and business alignment with these initiatives.
• Statewide Digital Inclusion Initiative – Launch a coordinated, multi-faceted initiative to systematically eliminate barriers to digital literacy and adoption. This includes expanding affordable broadband access, providing devices, and funding community-based programs that address non-technical challenges, such as transportation, childcare, language barriers, and trust-building with service providers. The initiative should prioritize digital skills training for all residents, regardless of foundational literacy level.
Mapping, Policy, and Funding
• Advance Inclusive Broadband Deployment – Align deployment strategies with community needs, prioritizing underserved and unserved populations. Strengthen state-supported coordination of community and nonprofit efforts and explore cost-reduction policies to lower barriers in high-cost, low-density areas.
• Expand and Sustain Broadband Mapping – Continue and expand mapping efforts to provide accurate, transparent data that informs policy decisions, identifies service gaps, and supports targeted infrastructure development. As BEAD and other grant programs are completed, ensure mapping efforts evaluate actual locations served, speeds delivered, and infrastructure capabilities.
• Prioritize Funding for Line Extension Connection Program – Provide continued and increased funding for the Line Extension Connection Program, which has proven to be a cost-effective and targeted solution for last-mile deployment. This program empowers consumers, meets demand, and ensures no household or business is left behind as BEAD funding rolls out.

MN Broadband Task Force Jan 2026: Unveiling the Annual Task Force report

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The Broadband Task Force unveiled the Annual Report (I will post on the report very soon) and presented it to Senator Putnam (Chair Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development). They also heard about Minnesota broadband environmental permitting overview.

10:00 a.m. – 10:05 a.m. Welcome from Teddy Bekele, Chair, Minnesota Governor’s Task Force on Broadband and approval of minutes from December Task Force meeting.

10:05a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Legislative preview for 2026 with Deven Bowdry, Government Relations Director, DEED

  • Session should be brief
  • Session starts Feb 17, second year of biennium, so more policy than budgets
  • Split House & Senate so not expecting to get much done
  • There might be a supplemental budget – focusing on urgent items – Fraud security is a hot topic
  • Governor hasn’t yet announced priorities
  • Probably see budget in March
  • They will be looking for informational hearing to fill time
  • Governor’s bonding proposal has been released
  • OBD will have a hearing session as will the Broadband Task Force

10:15 a.m. – 10:20 a.m. Office of Broadband Development (OBD) overview and updates from Bree Maki (Executive Director, OBD).

  • BEAD
  • NTIA approved final proposal – now waiting on approval from NIST
  • Can’t move forward without NIST approval – but getting ready to be ready
  • Working to make sure that MN rules and regulations align with BEAD requirements – including emerging federal laws such as related to AI
  • 155,000 are unserved looking at 2026 goals; 76,000 could get service through BEAD but many will not meet state goal of 100/20
  • There are concerns from providers because of some issues – such a – if you take BEAD funding you will not be eligible for future federal funding, including USF
  • Once OBD gets approval, they have 6 months to sign with providers/subgrantees
  • There are tribal locations – and OBD needs consent from tribal partners
  • Working on how to get back some of the BEAD funding for non-deployment funds
  • Likely to be 2027 before broadband comes via BEAD
  • OBD
  • Digital Equity Act Funding ended – but got approval for capacity grant draw. So OBD got paid.
  • The planning grant was closed out before spent – we are getting audited as are all the states.
  • 2026 Connecting MN conference April 29 at the Heritage Center
  • Going through a few audits
  • GRANTS
  • Line Extension – 3 rounds. 48 projects all built last year. 2200 locations were built. Trying to use up all of the funds before they expire.
  • Plan to do Line Extension 5 with state funds. So please sign up and encourage others to do so.
  • Border to Border – OBD is still busy closing out various grants. 40 are closing and 50 are waiting to be built.

Q: What about the NTIA conference in March? Should the Task Force attend?
A: That meeting might not be a fit but there are many national events and OBD can share those opportunities with the Task Force

Q: When will OBD hear from NIST?
A: Unclear.

10:20 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Overview of 2025 Broadband Task Force Annual Report and recommendations.

11:00 a.m. – 10:20 a.m. Senate Committee Chair legislative discussion and broadband check-in with Senator Putnam (Chair Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development).

  • The senator appreciates the broadband focus of access that includes
  • We’ve talked about training – are there any consequences to the changes to requirements for broadband construction folks?
    There are 20-30 approved plans. The cold makes good training weather. Haven’t seen full implementation yet.
    The deadline for the program was Jan 1 – so too soon to see results. Last summer we were informing folks of the need for training.
  • Are there specific permitting concerns?
    State level permitting is a bottleneck. OBD has been working to help.
    Railroad crossings are difficult and cost is unpredictable
    MN Legislators have been supportive
    (From chat) One Railroads – If I am notified, I general bring in our Federal Senators to help navigate conversations with them.
    (From chat) FCC regulations on permitting and joint use agreements with other utilities are found here: Federal Register :: Accelerating Wireline Broadband Deployment by Removing Barriers to Infrastructu…

11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Minnesota broadband environmental permitting overview with Bree Maki (Executive Director, OBD) and Megan Messerole (Broadband Environmental and Land Use Coordinator, OBD)

 from one of the slides above:

Environmental Permitting Resources

Minnesota National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Permitting Resources

NTIA NEPA and Permitting Resources

Other NEPA and Permitting Resources

12:15 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. Open the floor to other business, February meeting plans, and meeting wrap-up.

EVENT Jan 21 (Today): State BEAD Roundtable at 11am

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I know it’s last minute, but sometimes that makes it even easier to attend. Broadband Breakfast is hosting a discussion at 11am…

State broadband offices are now deep into BEAD implementation, managing billions in federal funding while navigating deployment timelines, subgrantee oversight, and compliance requirements. This roundtable aims to bring together state broadband directors and program leaders to share lessons learned, troubleshoot common challenges, and discuss emerging best practices from the field. The conversation will also address how states are measuring progress, ensuring speedy and thorough deployment, and adapting strategies as ground-level realities meet original plans.

Panelists
  • Bree Maki, Executive Director, Minnesota Office of Broadband Development
  • Alyssa Kenney, State Broadband and Digital Equity Director, Public Service Commission of Wisconsin
  • Claire Shiverdecker, Program Manager, Utah Broadband Center
  • Christine Hallquist, Executive Director, VCBB
  • Bryant Clayton, Director, Broadband Development Office
  • Brian Newby, State Broadband Director, North Dakota
  • Connor Perry, Executive Director, Delaware Broadband Office
  • Drew Clark (moderator), CEO and Publisher, Broadband Breakfast

EVENT Jan 22: MN Broadband Task Force Jan 2026 meeting

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Below is the agenda for the MN Broadband Task Force. I will attend (remotely) and plan to livestream it…

Agenda: Broadband Task Force, January Monthly Meeting

Date: 01/22/2026

Virtual Meeting

Join the meeting now.

  • Meeting ID and Pass Code: 295 528 665 057 20 and cB73Es65
  • Dial in by phone: +1 651-395-7448,,329040994#. Phone conference ID: 329 040 994#
  • Join on a video conferencing device: Tenant key: mn@m.webex.com. Video ID: 112 547 437 0

Meeting Agenda

10:00 a.m. – 10:05 a.m. – Welcome from Teddy Bekele, Chair, Minnesota Governor’s Task Force on Broadband and approval of minutes from December Task Force meeting.

10:05 a.m. – 10:20 a.m. – Senate Committee Chair legislative discussion and broadband check-in with Senator Putnam (Chair Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development).

10:20 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. – Overview of 2025 Broadband Task Force Annual Report and recommendations.

10:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. – Legislative preview for 2026 with Deven Bowdry, Government Relations Director, DEED

11:00 a.m. – 11:20 a.m. – Office of Broadband Development (OBD) overview and updates from Bree Maki (Executive Director, OBD).

11:20 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – Break.

11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. – Minnesota broadband environmental permitting overview with Bree Maki (Executive Director, OBD) and Megan Messerole (Broadband Environmental and Land Use Coordinator, OBD)

12:15 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Open the floor to other business, February meeting plans, and meeting wrap-up.

Office of Broadband Development Update Jan 14: Line extension, Task Force meeting dates and BEAD updates

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From the Office of Broadband Development…

Broadband Matters: Office of Broadband Development Updates

  • Line Extension Connection Program
  • Broadband Task Force, January meeting plans
  • NTIA Approves Minnesota’s BEAD Plan; Initial $378.9M in subgrants to connect 74,739 locations statewide
  • OBD BEAD resources
  • Broadband in the news

Line Extension Connection Program

OBD is currently in the process of rolling out awards and getting confirmation of award acceptance from providers for Round 4 of the Line Extension Connection Program. Once this process is complete, OBD will publish final awards, which is expected to be late January or early February.

Registration remains open for future rounds if and as funding is available for residents and businesses on the Line Extension Connection Program webpage. OBD does expect to run a fifth round of Line Extension with state project funds in late winter/early spring 2026.

Questions on Line Extension can be sent to deed.broadband@state.mn.us or (651)-259-7610.

Broadband Task Force, January meeting plans

The Broadband Task Force will have its first meeting of 2026 on Thursday January 22, at 10am.  This meeting will be held virtually and is open to anyone from the public to attend, the link to join will be added to the agenda which is posted on the Broadband Task Force webpage.

During 2026, the Broadband Task Force will plan to meet on:

  • Wednesday, February 18
  • Wednesday, April 29
  • Thursday, May 21
  • Thursday, June 18
  • Thursday, August 13
  • Wednesday, September 16
  • Thursday, October 8
  • Thursday, November 12
  • Thursday, December 10

This schedule, along with other information on past and future meetings, will be posted on the Broadband Task Force webpage.

NTIA Approves Minnesota’s BEAD Plan; Initial $378.9M in subgrants to connect 74,739 locations statewide

On December 19, 2025, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) approved Minnesota’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Final Proposal, advancing the state’s plan to expand high‑speed internet with federal funding.

Following extensive engagement, restructuring, and over 18 rounds of curing, Minnesota has been initially approved for $378.9 million in BEAD subgrants across 94 projects. These projects are supported by nearly $190 million in matching funds, representing a total anticipated investment of more than $568.8 million to connect 74,739 locations. This extraordinary opportunity underscores the dedication and coordination of our team and partners statewide.

The Office of Broadband Development (OBD) is awaiting final approval from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and will then begin the contracting process with subgrantees, prioritizing award agreements and readiness activities.

OBD BEAD resources

OBD continues to add resources and update information on the OBD BEAD webpage as it becomes available. These and additional updates include:

The status of BEAD nationally can be followed on NTIA’s BEAD Progress Dashboard.

Broadband in the news

  • A press release reports Rural St Louis County is getting better broadband through BEAD and Mediacom and quotes OBD’s Executive Director Bree Maki, “For more than a decade, the residents and leaders of North Star and Pequaywan Townships have done everything right—planning, organizing, and advocating for better connectivity—and this investment finally delivers on that work…BEAD funding is designed to reach exactly these kinds of rural communities that the market alone has not served, and this project will help to ensure families, businesses, and first responders in St. Louis County have access to reliable, affordable, high-speed internet that meets today’s needs and tomorrow’s opportunities.”
  • An OBD Low-Density Population Grant will go towards areas of Balkan Township in St. Louis County through Paul Bunyan Communications GigaZone fiber expansion.

MN Broadband Task Force meeting Dec 2025: Reviewing the annual report

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Today was likely the last meeting for the MN Broadband Task Force in 2025, especially since the Task Force members in attendance all approved the draft annual report with few medications. I’ll share the video and the screenshots I was able to take of the report as it flew by the zoom window. I tried to capture the recommendations in my notes. It sounds as if much of the background, glossary and other pieces are similar from last year.

10:00 a.m. – 10:10 a.m.         Welcome Teddy Bekele, Chair, Minnesota Governor’s Task Force on Broadband

10:10 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.  Approval of minutes from November Task Force Meeting

10:15 a.m. – 10:25 a.m.  2026 Meeting Schedule + Virtual meeting January 22, 2026

Recognized that while they are supposed to meet 12 times a year, they only met 10 times in 2025. Proposed dates for 2026:

  • Jan 22
  • Feb 18
  • April 29
  • May 21
  • June 18
  • Aug 13
  • Sep 16
  • Oct 8
  • Nov 12Dec 10

10:25 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Office of Broadband Development Overview Bree Maki, Executive Director, OBD

  • State grant program has been busy – working on closing 39 projects; 41 closed out in last year.
  • Will send semi-annual progress report by Jan 15
  • Preparing for 4th round of Line Extension reports
  • 189 grants have been awarded over all
  • Connected Nation has verified a lot of locations
  • Working to re-organize BEAD website to be more subgrantee focused.
  • Have a meeting for all on April 29 in Brooklyn Center – looking for ideas

Questions/Comments:

  • NITA has everything they have asked of us at this time.  We are just waiting for their decision and feedback.
  • What does BEAD pay for LEO’s. service?, or something else?
    We cannot pay for the monthly service.  Our understanding at this point is capacity.  These are questions we still have and are waiting for guidance on.  NTIA has to provide us more information on milestones for payments to them – such as our choices for number of subscribers, etc.
  • Senator Klobuchar signed on a letter and also has done press around non-deployment funds.
  • The team is pivoting as best as we can.  Trying to keep positive and make sure we focus on the goal of getting all MN’s households served.

10:45a.m. – End Broadband Task Force Annual Report – Time to review and refine Broadband Task Force’s Annual Report

Comments:

  • Need to include 2025 updates
  • Website with the info and resources Jenn shared: https://mn.gov/deed/programs-services/broadband/bead/
  • Yes! Cheers to the OBD team for your incredible adaptability and resilience as you navigate a constant state of change and uncertainty! Your dedication and teamwork make all the difference!!
  • Background is intended to support recommendations

Goals Econ Issues/Digital Skills

  • Ensure affordability
  • Maximize Economic Opportunity
  • Cultivate a skilled workforce
  • Invest in Digital Skills and Adoption

Recommendations from Affordability, Economic Opportunity and Workforce Development Recommendations

  • Support modernization of Lifeline
  • Develop career & tech education
  • Encourage grant recipients to implement best workforce practice
  • Prioritize funds to support anchor institutions supporting digital inclusion
  • Establish statewide digital inclusion initiative

Recommendations from Mapping, Policy and Funding

  • Advance inclusive broadband deployment by aligning strategies prioritize unserved/underserved
  • Continue and expand broadband mapping
  • Prioritize Line Extension funding

Appendix and Glossary remain mostly the same.

Broadband Matters Matters Dec 17 2025: Year in Review

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From the Office of Broadband Development…

From the Office of Broadband Development:
Thank you for your continued engagement through 2025!
OBD’s work connecting all Minnesotans to fast, reliable, broadband is made possible by our ongoing collaboration with partners statewide.

Broadband Matters: Office of Broadband Development Updates

  • Minnesota Broadband, a year in review
  • Broadband Task Force 2026 meeting schedule
  • BEAD updates + resources
  • Line Extension Connection Program update

Minnesota Broadband, a year in review

The OBD has had a busy year managing grants from Border-to-Border (B2B) and Low Density Population, Line Extension Connection Program, and continuing the state’s mapping program.

Highlights at the beginning of December 2025 include:

  • Managed a total of 189 grants from B2B Rounds 7-10 (including Low Density) and Line Extension Rounds 1-3, and there are 78 active projects.
  • The OBD Grants team have closed a total of 72 projects this year, with 41 of those closed in the past 6 months and 39 projects currently pending closed.
  • Line Extension Round 2 saw all 13 projects built as of 6/30/2025 and for Round 3, all 16 projects will be built by 12/31/2025.
  • Between June—November, OBD Grant Staff completed over 50 site visits statewide across broadband projects and programs.
  • Connected Nation, Minnesota’s mapping vendor, completed field validation for over 70 State and Capital Projects Fund grant projects in 2025, and in the process verified construction completeness at more than 35,000 locations.
  • Fielded 180+ inquires on Line Extension over phone and email, resulting in nearly 60 registrations for the program, and over 35 registrations from applications submitted by mail.

Broadband Task Force 2026 meeting schedule

The Broadband Task Force will have a final scheduled meeting of 2025 on Thursday December 18 at 10 a.m. This meeting will be held virtually and is open to anyone from the public to attend, the Teams link to join is available on the meeting agenda.

During 2026, the Broadband Task Force will plan to meet:

  • Thursday, January 22
  • Wednesday, February 18
  • Wednesday, April 29
  • Thursday, May 21
  • Thursday, June 18
  • Thursday, August 13
  • Wednesday, September 16
  • Thursday, October 8
  • Thursday, November 12
  • Thursday, December 10

This schedule, along with other information on past and future meetings, will be posted on the Broadband Task Force webpage.

BEAD updates + resources

OBD continues with rounds of curing with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) on the submitted draft of the BEAD Final Proposal. Minnesota expects approval on the Final Proposal by the end of the year, and status of BEAD nationally can be followed on NTIA’s BEAD Progress Dashboard.

Additional updates resources on BEAD include:

Line Extension Connection Program update

The Round 4 Line Extension bidding window closed on November 25, 2025.

OBD is evaluating the bids submitted during Round 4 and expects to announce award decisions before year end. Updates will be posted to the OBD Line Extension Connection Program webpage.

While the window for residential and business sign-ups to be included in the bidding for Round 4 of the Line Extension Connection Program closed, registration will remain open for future rounds if and as funding is available on the Line Extension Connection Program webpage. OBD expects to run a fifth round of Line Extension with state project funds.

Questions on Line Extension can be sent to deed.broadband@state.mn.us or (651)-259-7610.

This is OBD’s last newsletter for the 2025 year, see you in 2026!

Year End Broadband Update from the Office of Broadband Development: notes and video

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The Office of Broadband Development gave a year end review this morning. They spoke about what’s happened in the last year, which focused on BEAD. The big news is that they are still waiting to get final approval of the BEAD proposal. They have had 18 rounds of curing the proposal and it sounds as if they are getting close. They hope to hear more before the end of the year. Sonds they are also hoping for State funds in the future.

They shared information on how much each county is slated to review from BEAD.

Lots of details on what the process will be for subgrantees once the proposal is approved.

They are hoping to announce the last round awards for Line Extension funding.

Questions:

Will the OBD release a template Attorney Letter associated with the LoC & Performance Bond?
They are working on what they need. An answer will be available soon.

When/how will we receive the geospatial request and how long will we have to complete that information?
Hi Jamie, when our grantor portal opens, you can upload the project’s geospatial data to the portal. I recommend taking a look at the geospatial data you submitted when you applied and see if it meets the requirements mentioned in the slide and if it includes all of the preliminary awarded locations.  There is no limit on how long you have to complete the geospatial data, but the faster you submit, the faster we will be able to review and work through NEPA.
The Us Forestry permitting process can take up to 270 days….

Hi! Should we plan on further location negotiations taking place once there is approval from NTIA?
We will be reaching out to providers/applicants. There will be an opportunity to negotiate but we won’t know how much negotiation is possible given federal rules.

Megan, please explain how requests for permits from US Forestry or MN DNR interface with MN’s NEPA permitting. If the NTIA/MN NEPA determination is that the project should be awarded a CatEX, how does that CatEX expedite permits from US Forestry, Fish & Game or MN DNR.
We recommend getting through NEPA through ESAP tool. That can be submitted this licenses and permits. The agencies will want to see the NEPA info.

Megan following up, on NEPA determination question above, did the NTIA get interagency agreements from BLM, US Forestry to honor the NTIA CatEX determination?
Not positive. Both have released a memo about broadband.

Office of Broadband Development Matters Dec 3: Upcoming meetings

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From the Office of Broadband Development… (I plan to post each event separately too, just so folks are sure to see them)

Broadband Matters: Office of Broadband Development Updates

  • December webinar + BEAD updates
  • Line Extension Connection Program update
  • Broadband Task Force, December meeting plans
  • Broadband National Expo, State Showcase – Minnesota’s Collaborative Approach to Broadband Deployment

December webinar + BEAD updates

OBD will be hosting a webinar, Minnesota Broadband Updates on Wednesday December 17 at 11am to recap Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) efforts in 2025 and go over next steps for what the OBD expects for broadband grant programs going into 2026. This webinar is open to the public and will be recorded and posted to the OBD BEAD webpage. Registration is available below.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) continues to announce approved Final Proposals for BEAD, which can be followed from NTIA’s BEAD Progress Dashboard. OBD expects approval will come through soon, and will be in-line with NTIA’s timeline of reviewing and approving proposals within 90 days of when the Final Proposal was submitted. Minnesota submitted the BEAD Final Proposal to NTIA on September 4, 2025.

Continue to watch for updates! The OBD BEAD webpage will be undergoing changes, along with new and additional resources being added.

Line Extension Connection Program update

The Round 4 Line Extension bidding window closed on November 25, 2025.

OBD is evaluating the bids submitted during Round 4 and expects to announce award decisions soon. Updates will be posted to the OBD Line Extension Connection Program webpage.

While the window for residential and business sign-ups to be included in the bidding for Round 4 of the Line Extension Connection Program closed, registration will remain open for future rounds if and as funding is available. OBD expects to run a fifth round of Line Extension with state project funds.

Questions on Line Extension can be sent to deed.broadband@state.mn.us or (651)-259-7610.

Broadband Task Force, December meeting plans

The Broadband Task Force will be meeting on Thursday December 18 at 10am. This meeting will be held virtually and is open to anyone from the public to attend. The Teams link to join the meeting will be included at the top of the meeting agenda, which will be posted along with other information on past meetings on the Broadband Task Force webpage.

Broadband National Expo, State Showcase – Minnesota’s Collaborative Approach to Broadband Deployment

OBD’s Executive Director, Bree Maki, attended the Broadband National Expo in Orlando Florida, and spoke on the November 20th panel, State Showcase – Minnesota’s Collaborative Approach to Broadband Deployment, alongside Joe Buttweiler (Chief Strategy Officer, CTC) and Brent Christensen (President/CEO,
Minnesota Telecom Alliance), pictured below.

Minnesota is proud of it’s collaborative partnerships and is continuing to see success by these efforts.

EVENT Dec 17: Office of Broadband Development BEAD Information Sessions

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An upcoming session from the Office of Broadband Development…

Wednesday, December 17, 2025, 11:00 a.m., Minnesota Broadband Update webinar: Join the OBD for an update on the federal BEAD program in Minnesota, including a recap of BEAD efforts in 2025 and next steps for what the OBD expects for broadband grant programs going into 2026. Register here.

BEAD Rollout: Next Steps & Insights: Meeting notes and video

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Here’s a recording from the webinar yesterday from NRTC…

A description of the session from the hosts…

Join us for an in-depth session with state broadband office directors who will demystify the critical steps leading up to executing BEAD grant agreements, and how NEPA permitting and pre-award spending authorization fits into their state’s timeline. This webinar will provide a clear roadmap of the chain of events and required documentation to ensure compliance and timely execution.

Featured Panel:

  • Teresa Ferguson – (moderator) Senior Director, Broadband & Infrastructure Funding – NRTC
  • Dr. Tamara Holmes – PHD, Broadband Director – DHCD Office of Broadband, Virginia Department of Housing & Community Development
  • BJ Tanksley – Director, Office of Broadband Deployment – Missouri Department of Economic Development
  • Bree Maki – Executive Director – Minnesota Office of Broadband Deployment, MN Dept. of Employment & Economic Development

And some notes I took, mostly when Bree Maki spoke about the situation in Minnesota…

Guidance to awardees

  • Letter of credit
  • Supply Chain Rick Mgmt plan
  • Cybersecurity Risk Mgmt plan
  • Final BSL & CAI Count
  • PM Stamp for Network Design
  • Finalize Budget

For MN

  • Work on narrative
  • Work on budget
  • Don’t start anything
  • Wait on guidance – this will be different that former MN awards
  • Will have a meeting soon

EVENT DEC 2: NRTC BEAD Rollout: Next Steps & Insights Webinar

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The NRTC is holding a webinar tomorrow that comes highly recommended. Bree Maki, director of the MN Office of Broadband Development is on the panel…

BEAD Rollout: Next Steps & Insights

Show in my time zone
Join us for an in-depth session with state broadband office directors who will demystify the critical steps leading up to executing BEAD grant agreements, and how NEPA permitting and pre-award spending authorization fits into their state’s timeline. This webinar will provide a clear roadmap of the chain of events and required documentation to ensure compliance and timely execution. Our Host and Panelists Teresa Ferguson – Senior Director, Broadband and Infrastructure Funding – NRTC Dr. Tamara Holmes – PHD, Broadband Director – DHCD Office of Broadband, Virginia Department of Housing & Community Development BJ Tanksley – Director, Office of Broadband Development – Missouri Department of Economic Development Bree Maki – Executive Director – Minnesota Office of Broadband Deployment, MN Dept. of Employment & Economic Development We hope to see you there!

Did your county get any of the $20 million in MN Line Extension grants in the last three rounds?

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Congrats to the counties who have done well getting Line Extension grants. Congrats to the counties who don’t need them. For counties who need help getting better broadband and haven’t been getting Line Extension funding, here’s more information.

The numbers for Line Extension awards by county are now available for the three rounds that have been awarded. For those you don’t wake up Monday looking for the latest updates on MN broadband, I’ll start with a little reminder. Line Extension is a broadband support managed by the Office of Broadband Development. Info on how it works from the Office of Broadband Development…

Residential and business locations that are unserved (lack access to speeds of at least 25Mbps download and 3Mbps upload) can apply by entering their information into the Line Extension Connection portal*. This will initiate their interest in receiving broadband internet service and make their location available for consideration. By submitting your address into the Line Extension Connection portal, internet service providers will have the opportunity to review the location and submit a bid based on the cost to bring service to your location. The Office of Broadband Development will evaluate these bids and required provider documentation and make awards to the providers whose bid proposes the lowest cost to the State for extension of the service.

It helps fill in holes in a community where there’s one household that two miles off the road or maybe the six houses on the “other side” of the lake. In light of promise of federal BEAD funding, Line Extension has been the only focus of state funding for broadband this year.

The Office of Broadband has recently shared updated number of how much each county has received. (You can download the spreadsheet for more information.)

Over three rounds, $20,314,363.07 has been awarded. Below are the grant total awards in order of the amount received by county. A few quick notes: not every county has received awards, because not every county needs the help. (At least 10 MN counties have more than 99 percent broadband coverage, as of last year.) Even in this list, the need is variable. You can learn more about the next round of Line Extension grants from the Office of Broadband Development.

County Grand Total (Dollars)
Becker 2850601.5
St. Louis 2619282.61
Crow Wing 2455450.17
Todd 1943261.7
Wabasha 1182818
Morrison 946640
Pine 735691.19
Mahnomen 722588.48
Aitkin 689620.88
Washington 680789
Wright 603805.31
Winona 472220
Scott 410871.52
Otter Tail 384714.84
Kandiyohi 378273.28
Meeker 318997.39
Dakota 283639.8
Hubbard 265000.94
Anoka 246223
Jackson 200561.6
Clay 200522.72
Hennepin 198769
Stearns 144480
Le Sueur 127288.13
Itasca 126357.54
Cass 97449
Rice 85860.66
Carlton 75958.79
Lyon 75474.94
Yellow Medicine 75474.94
Dodge 73944.5
Renville 72395.54
Mower 71966.49
Carver 65664
Swift 59800
Goodhue 59393.27
Douglas 46361.52
Redwood 41853.6
Lake of the Woods 41427
Big Stone 35000
Lac qui Parle 29000
Chippewa 25500
Martin 23220.72
Sherburne 22482.03
Stevens 20000
Kittson 16375.07
Cottonwood 11292.4

 

Minnesota Public Broadband Alliance Meeting: Federal look at BEAD from Gigi Sohn

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The Minnesota Public Broadband Alliance is an interesting group of community leaders who are interested in broadband in their areas. The group includes folks who are technical and folks who understand the need. We get some examples of how broadband is making municipal life easier – such a remote meter reading, which means no more meter reader knocking on the door. And we learn about the ins and outs with partnering with different types of organizations to build better networks. Very creative!

Gigi Sohn often joins the call, which is a fantastic glimpse at what’s happening at the national level and often a sneak peek into some of the inner workings. I have high level notes from the meeting below.

Notes from Gigi Sohn

  • 18 BEAD plans are OK’ed but only one has NIST approval
  • NTIA is tinkering with benefit of the bargain, then best and final offer – where lowest wins no matter what. Apparently, NTIA is making folks do a second “best and final offer” round.
  • NTIA has sights out for public broadband and cooperatives
  • On Friday Executive Order that will require all states to pre-empt all local AI regulations before getting fed funding. This may be a stopper.
  • Nondeployment money could be used for adoption et al when first introduced but now – seems like the states will have to give back all or most of the unused (nondeployment) funds
  • Some in congress is writing bills to give the money back to the federal government
  • Benton is working on a letter (125 legislators have signed) to let states keep their designated funds
  • Recommended reading: From Promises to Performance: BEAD Enforcement Tools States Need Now
  • Recommended webinar: Building Smarter Cities and the Cost of Doing Nothing

Questions:

How can we support Gigi?
Get MN policymakers to sign the Benton letter

Are here any community networks interested in private funding?
Sounds like a disaster

Notes from OBD

  • MN did not accept non-use of waivers. We think we have support on some of the waivers.
  • There is more than $200 million in nondeployment
  • There is support in Congress to let states keep their money
  • It seems like NTIA wants to push too far – get to a point where providers won’t sign a contract
  • Minnesota’s proposal is close – but the slow down is likely the waivers
  • NIST is an issue.
  • LEO is a hiccup when you want to build to the future
  • Line Extension is due next week (Nov 25)

Questions:

Is there a template or model we can create for counties to show what BEAD can look like?
Yes, very close

What could the unintended consequences be on border to border program?
We need to do education on what federal funding means versus state funding. Providers are also looking at the cost of federal funding.

Next Meeting Dec 17 – and that could be a very important meeting.

OBD Updates Nov 19, 2025: Line Extension bids due Nov 25, 2025

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From the Office of Broadband Development…

Broadband Matters: Office of Broadband Development Updates

  • BEAD updates
  • Line Extension Connection Program update + bids due 1:30pm 11/25/25
  • Broadband Task Force, November meeting recap
  • National Rural Health Day, celebrating the power of rural!
  • Broadband in the news

BEAD updates

This week, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced the approval of 18 Final Proposals for the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program. Although Minnesota was not included in the first tranche, its plan remains on track for approval by December 4, 2025, consistent with NTIA’s 90-day review timeline. Submitted on September 4, the plan is currently in the “curing” stage, during which NTIA requests adjustments or clarifications. The 90-day review period ends on December 4, and approval is expected on or around that date.

Continue to watch for updates! The OBD BEAD webpage will be undergoing changes, along with new and additional resources being added.

Line Extension Connection Program update + bids due 1:30pm 11/25/25

The Round 4 Line Extension bidding window opened, September 26, 2025 and bids are due by 1:30pm CST on November 25, 2025. 
OBD expects the round to have $3.5M in Capital Projects Fund (CPF) dollars available to grant. Information and resources on Line Extension are posted to the OBD Line Extension Connection Program webpage. OBD also expects to run a fifth round of Line Extension with state project funds.

While the window for residential and business sign-ups to be included in the bidding for Round 4 of the Line Extension Connection Program has closed, registration will remain open for future rounds if and as funding is available.

Questions on Line Extension can be sent to deed.broadband@state.mn.us or (651)-259-7610.

Broadband Task Force, November meeting recap

The Governor’s Task Force on Broadband met virtually on November 13 and heard a presentation from Digitunity. Executive Director, Scot Henley, and Senior Director of Programs & Strategic Partnerships, Karisa Tashijan, shared on their work increasing computer ownership and a methodology for a sustainable computer ownership ecosystem, as well as components of supply, preparation and deployment. Thank you to Digitunity to presenting!

More information on this and past meetings can be found on the Broadband Task Force webpage.

National Rural Health Day, celebrating the power of rural!

November 20, 2025 recognizes National Rural Health Day, which is an opportunity to honor and celebrate the resiliency of rural healthcare providers, communities, organizations, and other partners dedicated to meeting the healthcare needs of Americans who live in rural communities. Minnesota’s Office of Rural Health and Primary Care (ORHPC) has more information on how to get involved and learn more on their webpage.

A 2025 Rural Health Care in Minnesota Chartbook is also available online as a resource for data on rural Minnesota’s health care system, workforce, availability of services, use, and financing. Additional data from the ORHPC includes a 2024 Telehealth Spotlight, with results from telehealth workforce surveys about providers, patients, and services. 

Broadband in the news