Category Archives: Minnesota Advisory Task Force

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

Posted on by
Reply

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

Posted on by
Reply

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!

EVENT Dec 18: MN Broadband Task Force December meeting

Posted on by
Reply

From the Office of Broadband Development…

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.

MN Broadband Task Force Meeting Nov 2025: computer ownership and work on the annual report

Posted on by
Reply

The MN Broadband Task Force learned about computer ownership today. The Office of Broadband Development gave an update on BEAD and other work. They are planning to do a broadband conference on April 29, 2026, at the Heritage Center. Morning sessions will be general, and the afternoon might include be tracks such as compliance.

The sub groups met for the second half of the meeting. I was able to meet with the Mapping, Policy, and Funding group. There are a few recommendations, including prioritizing funds for Line Extension.

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 October Task Force Meeting
approved

10:15 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.  Digitunity Presentation
Present on work increasing computer ownership and methodology for a sustainable computer ownership ecosystem and its components of supply, preparation and deployment.
Scot Henley, Executive Director, Digitunity and Karisa Tashijan, Senior Director of Programs & Strategic Partnerships, Digitunity

Questions:

What can’t people do without a large screen?
Writing essays for your GED is very large. Telehealth can be OK but quality of care without large screen isn’t as effective. Writing resumes is harder. Anyone needing assistive technology is better off with a large screen.
Fragmented knowledge happens – folks can comment on Facebook but not read a spreadsheet.
Working remotely is hard without a large screen.

What about tablet vs large screen?
People need the tool they need. Chromebooks are OK with students. Tablets can be better with older folks.
That choice is not there right now.

Do you see use of single use computers like Raspberry Pi?
It’s not for wide use – but great for STEM training.
There are a lot of Chromebooks who have been able to turn an old Chromebook into a more useful device.
Affordability is a big deal. Maybe Raspberry Pi could be good if low cost.
Also we need computers that are more durable and more repairable.

About the MN stats – are there are more states like MN and economic info on why this makes sense?
Yes – we have maps on our website. The latest census report could be helpful. Are you asking – What about MN causes a higher level of computer ownership?
We are looking for stats for our annual report.

11:00 a.m. – 11:20 a.m.   Office of Broadband Development Overview
Bree Maki, Executive Director, OBD

  • Round 7-10 grants are open. Hoping to close our round 7 this year.
  • Connected Nation has visited many times to do speed tests.
  • Line Extension – contracted to complete projects within a year. Trying to get to locations that aren’t aligned with BEAD. There are 32 projects in rounds 1 and 2. 16 projects in round 3 and need to be done this year.
  • Probably going to do a round 5 for Line Extension.
  • Trying to use up Capital Project funds. Line Extension has been part of that.
  • There are no addition funds from Border to Border grants to give out. Didn’t request state funding because of the promise of federal funds.
  • BEAD
  • Submitted final, revised proposal on Sep 4. Been going back and forth with them a not.
  • Last week the proposal went to the NTIA tech group. They may make more recommendations and/or will move us forward. Waiting to hear about next step.
  • We included 5 waivers for matches – but we heard that they are not interested in waivers. This is related to the newer cost thresholds. ($23,000 is the most we can ask for one location.) MN number per location is in conflict with some MN policies.
  • New BEAD admin says – that ISPs accept BEAD funding in might make them ineligible to get other federal funding for those locations. That does concerns ISPs. Providers are less interested in accepting BEAD now and risking future funding. This is another layer of uncertainty
  • We are working on environmental requirements with NEPA.
  • OBD got training from Mankato State U on government, ethics and AI. It was excellent. We can be your resource on AI for the annual report.
  • OBD is going to do a broadband conference – April 29, 2026 at the Heritage Center. Morning sessions will be general and afternoon might be tracks such as compliance.

How many households will get broadband from BEAD once funded?
By rule we need to serve 76,000. That is in conflict with things like state goals.
So we should mention that in the report – right?

11:20 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.  Other Business, December’s Meeting Plans, Wrap-up

May I give a presentation about my Digital Navigation training with Hennepin County Libraries?
Yes.

December meeting will be all together – hoping that the draft report is ready. No speakers are planned. We have heard that people like to do the report work during the meetings. We may need another meeting if the work isn’t done.

Subgroups will be working on statements of purpose and recommendations.

The background pieces will be created by the Office of Broadband Development.

11:30 a.m.—11:40 a.m.  Break

11:40 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.  Subgroup Work Sessions

Use Teams breakout rooms for subgroups to have time to work on their statement of purpose and recommendations for the annual report.

I’m joined the Mapping, Policy, and Funding group.

  • They are looking for staff recommendations.
  • Looking for folks to spell out acronyms.
  • Looking for ways to call out addresses that won’t get broadband as defined by MN Legislature. And maybe that info would help make the case for Line Extension. Also, might be helpful to ask how many are registered but not available.
  • Recommendations:
    • Advancing broadband deployment by aligning strategies with community needs. Adding in state supported coordination of nonprofit and community efforts – such as a kiosk where people can go to get info on other MN resources.
    • Cost reduction policies that could help with low density areas. Like sales tax exemptions for fiber.
    • Continue and expand mapping by the state to help inform policies and funding
    • Prioritize funding for Line Extension.
  • We need to separate actual and legitimate locations
  • Helpful to know what households are subscribing to.
  • We’ve always had scalability of 100/100 required in grant applications. It seems like that could be a benchmark.
  • What missing in the broadband world? We need the economic impact of broadband in general.
  • It would be nice to have state maps that become the go-to, definitive map. And easy access to the maps.

Do we need to meet one more time after OBD reviews our draft?
Maybe. Or we can use the December meeting.

Do we have content for all of the pieces we need?
We could beef up info on what the state is doing for mapping for that it continues to be a funding priority.
yes. Not to get into the weeds but

Can I get more info for the task force wide email?
Yes

EVENT Nov 13: MN Broadband Task Force meeting on computer ownership and working on annual report

Posted on by
Reply

Happening very soon – and I’ll be livestreaming it.

Governor’s Task Force on Broadband

Thursday November 13, 2025

10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Microsoft Teams

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 261 107 031 605

Passcode: pU7om7aJ

Dial in by phone

+1 651-395-7448,,779150780# United States, Minneapolis

Find a local number

Phone conference ID: 779 150 780#

Join on a video conferencing device

Tenant key: mn@m.webex.com

Video ID: 118 506 075 4

More info

For organizers: Meeting options | Reset dial-in PIN

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 October Task Force Meeting

10:15 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.  Digitunity Presentation
Present on work increasing computer ownership and methodology for a sustainable computer ownership ecosystem and its components of supply, preparation and deployment.

Scot Henley, Executive Director, Digitunity

Karisa Tashijan, Senior Director of Programs & Strategic Partnerships, Digitunity

11:00 a.m. – 11:20 a.m.   Office of Broadband Development Overview

Bree Maki, Executive Director, OBD

11:20 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.  Other Business, December’s Meeting Plans, Wrap-up

11:30 a.m.—11:40 a.m.  Break

11:40 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.  Subgroup Work Sessions

Use Teams breakout rooms for subgroups to have time to work on their statement of purpose and recommendations for the annual report.

MN Broadband Task Force Oct 2025 – at TelCom Construction Training Center

Posted on by
Reply

The MN Broadband Task Force met at TelCom Construction Training Center in Clearwater Minnesota. We heard from HR and Training staff and got to see various telecom construction tasks in the field. The hosts were very friendly and nice. It’s always interesting to see how holes are made, and fiber is deployed. Also the subgroups met for the first time to plan for their sections of the annual Task Force report.

10:00 a.m. – 10:05 a.m. Welcome Teddy Bekele, Chair, Minnesota Governor’s Task Force on Broadband

10:05 a.m. – 10:10 a.m.  Approval of minutes from September Task Force Meeting
Done

10:10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.  TelCom Construction Presentation and Facility Tour

Questions
How do you get new employees?
They have 4-5 people actively recruit for new staff.

11:30 a.m. – 11:40 a.m. Break

11:40 a.m. – 11:55 a.m. Office of Broadband Development Overview Bree Maki, Executive Director, OBD
No update from OBD

11:55 a.m.— 12:25 p.m.  Subgroup Work Sessions
I tried to capture on of the two subgroups in the room but with ambient noise made that very difficult. This was the initial meeting of the subgroups and primarily this was brainstorming about what to look at in the annual report and what resources would be best to include. I overheard questions about BEAD, mapping, wireless versus wireline.

12:25 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.  Other Business, November’s Meeting Plans, Wrap-up

 

EVENT October 15: MN Broadband Task Force Meeting in Clearwater MN

Posted on by
Reply

Looks like the next Task Force meeting is on the road…

Governor’s Task Force on Broadband

October 15, 2025

10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

 16643 County Road 75 Clearwater, MN 55320

TelCom Construction Training Facility

 

  • 10:00 a.m. – 10:05 a.m. Welcome
    Teddy Bekele, Chair, Minnesota Governor’s Task Force on Broadband
  • 10:05 a.m. – 10:10 a.m.  Approval of minutes from September Task Force Meeting
  • 10:10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.  TelCom Construction Presentation and Facility Tour
  • 11:30 a.m. – 11:40 a.m. Break
  • 11:40 a.m. – 11:55 a.m.               Office of Broadband Development Overview Bree Maki, Executive Director, OBD
  • 11:55 a.m.— 12:25 p.m.              Subgroup Work Sessions
  • 12:25 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.               Other Business, November’s Meeting Plans, Wrap-up

MN Broadband Task Force September 2025: Funding Update on BEAD, Deaf Community Comments and Pew Research

Posted on by
Reply

The MN Broadband Task Force met today. They heard from Communication Service for the Deaf and The Pew Charitable Trusts and got a view from the frontlines and researchers.

The big news with BEAD is that they have announced their “threshold” bid. That’s the bid that makes them look closer at a bid per location, or ask the bidder to make changes or it might even pragmatically indicate that a project will not get funded – depending on how over the threshold it is. Locations that are not able to lower the bid to meet the BEAD threshold may go to satellite.

1:00 p.m. – 1:10 p.m.   Welcome Teddy Bekele, Chair, Minnesota Governor’s Task Force on Broadband

1:10 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.   Approval of minutes from June and August Task Force meetings

1:15 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.  Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD) with Cameron Papazis, Business Development Manager and Irisa MacAulay, Business Development Associate

  • 11 million deaf people in the US – 1.1 million in MN
  • There’s a broadband range of supportive needs and solutions. (Signing, lip reading, deaf/blind folks)

Questions: Continue reading →

EVENT Sep 22: MN Broadband Task Force monthly meeting

Posted on by
Reply

From the Office of Broadband Development…

Governor’s Task Force on Broadband

September 22, 2025

1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Microsoft Teams

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 249 182 525 277

Passcode: KH6Rc37B

Dial in by phone

+1 651-395-7448,,377445322# United States, Minneapolis

Find a local number

Phone conference ID: 377 445 322#

Join on a video conferencing device

Tenant key: mn@m.webex.com

Video ID: 112 034 183 9

More info

For organizers: Meeting options | Reset dial-in PIN

 

1:00 p.m. – 1:10 p.m. Welcome

Teddy Bekele, Chair, Minnesota Governor’s Task Force on Broadband

1:10 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.  Approval of minutes from June and August Task Force meetings

1:15 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.  Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD)

Cameron Papazis, Business Development Manager

Irisa MacAulay, Business Development Associate

2:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. Break

2:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. The Pew Charitable Trusts

Jake Varn, Associate Manager, Broadband Access Initiative

3:00 p.m.—3:20 p.m. Office of Broadband Development Overview + Updates

Bree Maki, Executive Director, OBD

12:20 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.Other Business, Subgroup Updates, October’s Meeting Plans, Wrap-up

Office of Broadband Development Updates: Task Force meets Sep 22, BIA has sessions for Tribal Networks

Posted on by
Reply

From the Office of Broadband Development …

Broadband Matters: Office of Broadband Development Updates

  • Minnesota’s BEAD Final Proposal submitted to NTIA
  • Broadband Task Force, September monthly meeting
  • Line Extension Connection Program update
  • Updated guidance on broadband infrastructure development in Tribal Communities

Minnesota’s BEAD Final Proposal submitted to NTIA

As required by the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, the Minnesota Office of Broadband Development (OBD) submitted its Final Draft Proposal to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), including the Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce, on September 4, 2025. NTIA has committed to review and approve plans in 90 days.

OBD will continue to revise and update the documents as required by NTIA and necessary to ensure all BEAD eligible locations are served as defined by the policy notice.

Deployment and Technology-Type Results
As published in Minnesota’s Draft Final Proposal submitted to NTIA on September 4, 2025:

  • Infrastructure/Broadband Deployment: $391,611,699 (an increase from the previously reported posted draft of $381 million)
  • Technology Breakdown by Percentage and Location Count:
    • Fiber/Coax: 57.7% – 43,339 locations
    • Satellite: 24.8% – 18,651 locations
    • Fixed Wireless: 17.5% – 13,031 locations

Minnesota’s Draft of the Final Proposal and attachments can be found on the OBD BEAD webpage.

Line Extension Connection Program update

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.

OBD is preparing locations for the 10-day Line Extension Review and Challenge, which is anticipated to run from September 15 to September 24, 2025.

Updates will be posted as the are available to the OBD Line Extension webpage. Questions on Line Extension can be sent to deed.broadband@state.mn.us or (651)-259-7610.

Broadband Task Force, September monthly meeting

The Broadband Task Force will be meeting on Monday, September 22 at 1pm CST. 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 as at the top of the meeting agenda, which will be posted along with other information on past meetings on the Broadband Task Force webpage.

Updated guidance on broadband infrastructure development in Tribal Communities

The Department of the Interior Office of the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs updated guidance on Streamlining the Rights-of-Way Application Processes for Broadband Infrastructure Projects Across Indian Trust and Restricted Land. Now, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) has seven business days to review an application and notify the Rights-of-Way applicant if any additional information is needed. The new policy also provides guidance on waivers of certain regulatory requirements.

Webinars are being offered to provide information on this new policy, which will be open to Indian Affairs staff, tribal realty staff, federally recognized tribes, tribal organizations, Alaska Native corporations, federal partners and industry.

The webinars will be held on:

Additional information is available on the BIA webpage.

OBD BEAD Final Proposal meeting in Hutchinson MN: appreciation for OBD, frustration with the process

Posted on by
Reply

Today I attended an in-person version of the MN Office of Broadband Development Update: BEAD Final Proposal and upcoming meeting held yesterday. For the PPTs and great detail, I recommend you check yesterday’s post. Today I just took note of update and questions from the attendees. There weren’t many of us there, but it is the Friday before Labor Day weekend so I give a nod of appreciation for OBD for hosting and for the attendees for showing up.

The purpose of the meeting is to let folks know that the BEAD Final Proposal is now available online and folks have one week to make comments. So there was limited wiggle room with the in-person event date. There are more meetings next week:

  • Tuesday Sept. 2, 9—10am, Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), Owatonna, 525 Florence Ave, Owatonna, MN.
  • Tuesday Sept. 2, 3:30—4:30pm, Northwest Minnesota Foundation (NWMF), Bemidji, 201 3rd Street NW Bemidji, MN.
    • Note: Attendees, please plan to find street parking.
  • Wednesday Sept. 3, 9—10am, West Central Initiative Foundation (WCIF), Fergus Falls, 1000 Western Ave, Fergus Falls, MN.
    • Note: Attendees, please park in the part of the lot on the south side of the building.
  • Wednesday Sept. 3, 3—4pm, Northspan, Duluth, 202 West Superior Street, Suite 600, Duluth, MN.
    • Note: Attendees, this is located in the in the WesternBank building. Parking can be found on the street, the Holiday Center, or in the Duluth Transit Center.

Notes and audio from the meeting:

(**The audio gets better after the first minute.)

Offie of Broadband Development is working on:

  • Working on county maps
  • Working on interactive maps – hopefully will be done by Tuesday
  • Reach out if you want specific data points
  • A future line extension program – which will be announced soon. (That is an area where the legislature could invest.)
  • Recognizing that while BEAD may not be perfect, it will get broadband to some folks who need it.

In attendance: two providers, an engineering company, two from OBD and me.

Questions:

  • What will happen to surplus funds?
    Not sure. We are coming up with best and broadest use of funding for infrastructure that will support broadband in Minnesota. Do you have creative ideas for building infrastructure? This surplus might be able to go to those creative ideas. Maybe we need to update towers or other infrastructure.
  • We were awarded ReConnect but have yet to see the money. Do you think the BEAD process will be smoother?
    Once MN gets the OK, MN will be in charge of working with providers. We have built a team that is prepared to smooth the path. We are hopeful. We need a timeline and license number, then we can help. Make sure any applications have “broadband” written on the top of any applications. Broadband is a priority and so many offices are so busy.
    We are on a reimbursement process so we are invested in getting things done.
  • Does NTIA know why the tack rate for the grants was so low?
    One issue is that this became a lower bid option.
    There are people getting left behind. OBD has tried to explain the issue to NTIA with the data and lessons we’ve learned through the Line Extension Program.
    Another issue is that anyone could claim to be a priority project.
  • Minnesota and some other states are challenged with the lower population density areas.
  • Minnesota has a great reputation – has that helped?
    Not as much as we would have liked.
  • Smaller providers are willing to agree to a less than excellent agreement to get to the locations they want to serve. But they aren’t able to be at the table.
    OBD has tried to talk to the NTIA about that issue. Some folks have seen this as “free money” but it isn’t. We are grateful for the providers who have applied given restrictions.

Observations from the August (2025) MN Broadband Task Force – broadband is essential for farm business planning

Posted on by
Reply

Tri State Neighbor reports on the August meeting of the MN Broadband Task Force…

The Governor’s Task Force on Broadband took its conversation into the heart of rural Minnesota, holding its August meeting at Farmfest.

Around the table were state officials, representatives internet provider companies, and community advocates – people who know firsthand the challenges of connecting farms, small towns and rural businesses to reliable, high-speed internet.

They heard from interesting panelists in the agricultural community…

From an agricultural finance perspective, Paul Kohls of Compeer Financial sees broadband as foundational to farm business planning.

“Whether it’s accessing real-time markets, running precision ag equipment, or keeping up with compliance requirements, farms today run on data,” Kohls said. “And if the connection’s not there, you’re at a disadvantage before you even start.”

Panelists echoed that point, emphasizing that broadband isn’t just about streaming video, it’s about enabling farmers to run equipment, monitor livestock, and communicate with buyers without leaving the farm.

Maki said rural communities need to be part of the planning process, and the board continues to update maps of service areas. Funding decisions are based on mapping of underserved areas.

MN Broadband Task Force August 2025: On location at Farmfest

Posted on by
Reply

The MN Broadband Task Force met at Farmfest today. It was a short meeting, but they got to spend time with panelists who work in the ag business. It was interesting to hear from folks who have been (or still are) living on the slow end of the broadband divide. Also, there was an interesting push-pull conversation about precision agriculture and the growing need for data and the ability to process it with the energy it requires and the possible impact on local water.

2:30 p.m. – 2:35 p.m.   Welcome – Teddy Bekele, Chair, Minnesota Governor’s Task Force on Broadband

2:35 p.m. – 2:40 p.m.   Roll Call + Approval of minutes from June Task Force Meeting – Described the Task Force and had Task Force members introduce themselves.

2:40 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.  Relationship between agriculture in Minnesota, and fast, reliable broadband – Panel discussion between representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Farmer’s Union, and Farm Bureau on the relationship between agriculture in Minnesota, and fast, reliable broadband.  

Three panelists from rural/ag communities talk about their broadband needs.

Where is broadband needed?

  • Cooperatives have been powerful in getting broadband to rural MN. We get broadband from our local coop. (It’s the year of the cooperative.)
  • In most places, there’s one broadband provider. That’s fine when the provider is good but we need competitive in areas where that isn’t true.
  • Farmers use data – especially uploading data.
  • During COVID we really learned the importance of good broadband. Until we got better broadband, we have five ways to get online in our home.
  • Broadband can mean a resurgence for rural towns and communities. When people can work from home, they can live anywhere.
  • Broadband helps the largest and smallest farms.
  • Coops are great.

What would a connected community look like to you?

  • Just being connected would make a difference to keeping small towns alive.
  • In Pine City, we are seeing people move to our community. Often farmers need a second job for income and insurance.
  • Data gets bigger and bigger – we need broadband to manage it. Especially for precision ag.

What are the challenges to broadband?

What do you think of AI impacting ag?

  • It’s going to harness actionable data – for crops and livestock
  • We’re getting pitched on AI all of the time. We’re skeptical but we’re watching it. We’re not into it if is leads to more consolidation.
  • AI will double our energy needs and MN has made a commitment to clean energy – this seems in conflict and we need to have a conversation about that.
  • Our population is changing. We need greater diversity in farmers – so nice to have translation services.
  • Data collected on water and nitrates is also positive.
  • There do need to be checks and balances.

How are you holding federal and state agencies accountable for things like BEAD and USF changes?

  • No audible answer

How important is latency to you?

  • I don’t notice it with fiber – but I’m not on satellite or wifi.
  • Fiber has been so reliable for us.
  • This was an issue with teenage gamers at home but when we moved from Stalink to ECE we have fewer complaints. I also don’t hears as much from our neighbors. Farmers have to upload a lot and it had been an issue but as more fiber is available we see fewer issues.
  • From dialup to fiber – it’s been great. With email, it does matter. With videoconferencing, we notice the difference. BUT autonomous operations cannot tolerate latency.
  • We have seen lots of applications that need best broadband at Farmfest.

How can the TF help you?

  • Speed is 25/3 – but we need more. We need 100/100 and eventually gig access – especially with fully autonomous applications.
  • The efforts to get last mile are not working. We need a better plan.
  • I hear from people who go from crappy to good service and its life-changing.

There’s no State funding in the budget because we thought federal funding would work. But if it doesn’t – what do you need legislators to do/think?

  • The need will only continue to grow. 25/3 will not handle the growth for long.
  • One size does not fit all. I live in an area without trees, so wireless works for us.
  • If there’s limited funds, maybe we need to focus funding.
  • The push for fiber may not be affordable for everyone, we need to go with cheapest choices.

Q: From precision ag: As data centers are moving closer to the home, do you have concerns or ideas?

  • There’s concern about data centers on ag land – especially when it comes to water and water needs. Especially in southern and southeast MN.
  • Ditto
  • There used to be a concern – there’s a push and pull between water and energy needs. You want to use AI on the farm but it can’t be taken away because energy needs it. Making sure that tech companies work with communities is important.

Q: Economic development in SE MN: Is there any movement to get back RDOF funds?

  • It would be great
  • RDOF defaulted locations were at least re-added to the BEAD maps. But it is unlikely that we will recover the funding.

Q: Economic development in SE MN: Is there a push to get FTTH funding for communities that are “served” (according to the maps) by national providers but aren’t really served?

  • Local communities who aren’t served need to work on their situation
  • We need competition and we need to find a way to incentivize competition. We had a national provider who years, who never met our needs.
  • I’m not a fan of municipal providers but maybe if the municipal providers went with a open access model. You need to put out an RFP.

Why are you so passionate about broadband?

  • Three kids. The ability to learn and educate yourself. (Can’t be a YouTube mechanic on sate.)
  • Geofencing looks exciting.
  • Direct sales works better with broadband. Some farms have moved to entirely online sales.
  • We are building out a weather station across the state to get real time climate information. It helps farmers save money and take climate in consideration.
  • Technology is a way to get the next generation of farmers interested.
  • Also next generation of ag careers is very technical. Broadband is critical to that.
  • Broadband makes it possible to stay in rural MN.

3:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.  Office of Broadband Development Updates

Bree Maki, Executive Director, OBD

  • MN State Grants
  • Border to border grants provide funding to providers to reach expensive areas to serve
  • Lower population grants does similar but for even higher cost areas
  • Line Extension allows residents and businesses to request help
  • OBD is visiting communities that received funding.
  • We have 3 different grant rounds of MN funding happening now. (These are folks who got funding in the past.)
  • Line Extension funds need to get spent by end of 2026.
  • New hire on land use is doing a great job and helping folks with permitting.
  • If you need better service, please take a look at our Line Extension program.
  • We brough legislators to see a broadband provider and speed testing.
  • We give lessons to decision makers on how to work with fiber
  • BEAD
  • In May we were told to start the grant process over due to federal changes.
  • We just finished our first grant application round – it left 22,000 of the 76,000 eligible locations without a first-round bid
  • Yesterday we got new grant guidance
  • We need to do a public comment period for our final proposal – it will start on Aug 28 and hope to do a webinar to introduce that.
  • We are soliciting letters of support from local organizations to include with our final proposal. We want to make sure that BEAD eligible locations are correct on the maps we are using.
  • It seems like we may need State funding to meet State funding goals.                                                              

3:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Other Business, September Meeting Plans, Annual Report Discussion, Wrap-up

  • Future task force meetings will focus more on the upcoming report.

EVENT Aug 6: Broadband Task Force meets at Farmfest

Posted on by
Reply

From the Office of Broadband Development…

The Broadband Task Force will be meeting on Wednesday, August 6 from 2:30-4pm in Redwood County at the Minnesota Farmfest. This meeting will be held in-person and is open to anyone from the public to attend, however, tickets are required to enter Farmfest. Members of the public with questions about attending should email deed.broadband@state.mn.us or call 651-259-7610 no later than Monday July 28. 

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

The Tri State Neighbor also mentions it…

As Farmfest gears up to welcome thousands of attendees to southern Minnesota, one panel will zoom in on a challenge that transcends state lines and fencerows: reliable broadband access.

The Minnesota Governor’s Task Force on Broadband will host a listening session during Farmfest’s second day, Wednesday, Aug. 6, bringing a multi-stakeholder group face-to-face with the very people most affected by poor rural connectivity.

The task force includes representatives from agriculture, education, health care, small business and broadband providers. They advise the governor’s office on how to close the state’s digital divide. At Farmfest, they’re looking to hear from farmers and rural residents themselves. “This work only matters if it reflects the lived reality of the communities we’re trying to serve,” said Teddy Bekele, Land O’Lakes executive and Task Force member.

MN Broadband Task Force June 2025: Digital Inclusion program in St Paul

Posted on by
Reply

Today the MN Broadband Task Force heard from digital equity workers from Neighborhood House, a nonprofit in St Paul that works with people in need. Bree Maki from the Office of Broadband Development gave an update on ’what’s happening with MN broadband grants in the field and updates with BEAD.

Full notes: Continue reading →