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)
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.
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
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.
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, 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
The MN Broadband Task Force met today. They heard from the Hopkins Digital Access Initiative, an initiative to support seniors getting and using technology. They also heard from “women and broadband,” including information on Women in Technology.
News from the Office of Broadband Development. The Digital Opportunity funding has been terminated. That happened May 9 and OBD is still working on evaluating that situation. They are forging ahead with BEAD applications. They received 108 applications in round 11a; but only to cover 52 percent of BEAD eligible locations. There was overlap. They are holding off on opening BEAD Round 11b until more is known with federal expectations.
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 April Task Force Meeting
10:15a.m. – 10:45 a.m.Hopkins Digital Access Initiative A presentation on a collaborative community effort to develop a digital access plan in Hopkins. This multi-dimensional approach incorporates hyper-local research and deep engagement to inform a plan that will help ensure community members have the essential digital skills, tools, and support needed for everyday living in our digital world. This initiative offers a replicable and adaptable model for other communities. Rebekah Crosby, Co-Founder, Connecting to Thrive Carolyn Leslie, Co-Founder, Connecting to Thrive Beth Kivett, Activity Center Program Coordinator, Hopkins Activity Center
Questions:
What are barriers for seniors?
Everything – device, access, skills. Patience.
How have local providers been engaged?
Stacy from Comcast was helpful.
Have you seen any wins?
Yes relationships are forming before our eyes. We work with libraries and community education.
Is this a good model for other communities?
Our hope is to create a replicable model.
What would you like us to tell legislators?
Digital navigators are important. Talk to the local communities.
10:45 a.m.—11:30 a.m. Women in Broadband Leadership Panel Perspectives from industry leaders on women’s role in broadband Jill Huffman, Chief Executive Officer, Spring Grove Communications + MiBroadband Kristi Westbrock, Chief Executive Officer/General Manager, Consolidated Telecommunications Company
Questions:
How do we encourage women to get into leadership roles?
We are starting a telecom 101 class series – starring women in the industry. They will be virtual.
Partner with tech colleges for talent scouting.
Go out and talk to women. Start them as interns and get them around the departments.
When is a good time in the career for folks to make decisions?
We often can see within 90 days if a job is right for them; they usually know within the year.
What can we do for you?
Continued advocacy. We need the DEI programs. Highlight the WIT program.
11:30 a.m. – 11:40 a.m.Break
11:40 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.Legislative Updates
No budget target.
Possibility of special session
General funding (and pipeline safety funding) was approved in committees.
Broadband installer law changes have been approved – because of efforts of all partners. DO deadlines are pushed back and hours of training have been reduced.
There were other items that were on the table but this is the one that came to fruition.
11:50 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.Office of Broadband Development Overview + BEAD and Digital Opportunity Updates Bree Maki, Executive Director, OBD
BEAD – still a lot of uncertainty. Lots of concern in the world – but no new guidance.
We thought changes would be made maybe this week – but so far nothing.
OBD – closed round 11a on April 21. 79,000 locations are BEAD eligible
Received 108 applications – but only for 52 percent of locations were covered. Lots of overlap. Again – this was or fiber only
Hoping interest in fiber continues
Some locations in rural MN are less dense – we are concerned about loss of very remote locations. OBD will make determination of projects areas for next round of applications.
We don’t know what changes might come. Forging ahead. But recognize that there’s a balance for moving forward and creating concern for applicants – we do not have an open date for round 11b yet.
We had been doing office hours. May 20 – we will give updates to the program – not jump into next round of funding.
DEA – we got a letter on Friday that terminated the digital equity funding – as of May 9, 2025.
Don’t know what’s next. It was a law that was passed. Looking at what national actions might happen to impact this decision.
We have agreements in place. We were expecting another $10 million. Trying to figure a way to do the work without funding. It’s complicated.
We worked hard to make sure that the plan was Minnesota-first – not NTIA. So at least there’s a plan. But no money.
65 grants will be closing out in the next few months
Semi-annual progress reports will happen again this summer.
Working with Connect Nation doing map verification. Field validations have increased because round 7 is complete; expect more when round 8 is done in Dec 2025.
We are looking at Line Extension grants opening again soon. Money must be spent by end on 2026.
New staff person: Megan Messerole to work on environmental support.
Questions:
Is there anything we can do legislatively to bridge the gap?
No. Maybe task force could evaluate and recommend for next year. We have to look at the resources we have in place. Right now the funding was federal.
Are you working on a response? Or a date when you might announcements about the future.
OBD will not make legal decisions. That would be up to the State Attorneys.
Will FTTH application score better in round 11b or is it all equal?
We have points for fiber but low cost is weighted too.
Here’s the agenda for tomorrow Broadband Task Force meeting…
Governor’s Task Force on Broadband
Thursday May 15, 2025
10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
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 April Task Force Meeting
10:15a.m. – 10:45 a.m.Hopkins Digital Access Initiative A presentation on a collaborative community effort to develop a digital access plan in Hopkins. This multi-dimensional approach incorporates hyper-local research and deep engagement to inform a plan that will help ensure community members have the essential digital skills, tools, and support needed for everyday living in our digital world. This initiative offers a replicable and adaptable model for other communities. Rebekah Crosby, Co-Founder, Connecting to Thrive
Carolyn Leslie, Co-Founder, Connecting to Thrive
Beth Kivett, Activity Center Program Coordinator, Hopkins Activity Center
10:45 a.m.—11:30 a.m. Women in Broadband Leadership Panel Perspectives from industry leaders on women’s role in broadband
Jill Huffman, Chief Executive Officer, Spring Grove Communications + MiBroadband Kristi Westbrock, Chief Executive Officer/General Manager, Consolidated Telecommunications Company
11:30 a.m. – 11:40 a.m.Break
11:40 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.Legislative Updates
11:50 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.Office of Broadband Development Overview + BEAD and Digital Opportunity Updates
Today the MN Broadband Task Force met and heard from the Department of Labor and Industry about training and certification for broadband installers, a timely topic as the MN Legislature looks at amending rules that passed last session requiring training and certification for broadband installers. They also heard from very satisfied customers of the Line Extension program. It’s great to see how local residents, providers and the Office of Broadband Development can work together to fill these small, but deep holes in the broadband infrastructure in some rural areas.
Teddy Bekele, Chair, Minnesota Governor’s Task Force on Broadband
10:05 a.m. – 10:10 a.m.Approval of minutes from March Task Force Meeting
10:10 a.m. – 10:40 a.m.Department of Labor and Industry Presentation The Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) will provide updates on the Safety Qualified Underground Telecommunications Installer program based on the current state law.
Sean O’Neil, Director of Licensing & Enforcement, Construction Codes and Licensing Division, DLI
10:40 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.Office of Broadband Development Overview + BEAD and Digital Opportunity Updates
Bree Maki, Executive Director, OBD
11:00 a.m. – 11:05 a.m.Legislative Update
11:05 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.Break
11:15 a.m.—12:00 p.m. Line Extension Grantee Panel
Grantees of the Line Extension Connection Program (LECP) will discuss provide background, discuss their experiences with LECP, and the impacts of the program.
Kyle Beuning, Plant Manager, Sytek
Scott Reimer, CEO-General Manager, Federated Rural Electric Association
Since 2020, the digital navigator model has spread like wildfire. Programs with trusted guides who assist community members with ongoing, individualized support for accessing affordable and appropriate connectivity, devices, and digital skills are now in hundreds of communities across the U.S.
Thirty-nine states and territories included digital navigator programs in their state/territory digital equity/opportunity plans, many of whom included libraries as key community partners.
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is one of the reasons this model was developed and went to scale so quickly. Just yesterday, staff at the Institute for Museum and Library Services were placed on leave, meaning there are no staff to manage current grants.
Support Digital Literacy: Standardize digital literacy definitions across agencies and fund Digital Navigators for anchor institutions to teach digital skills and connect residents to resources. Create a searchable digital literacy resource directory available in multiple languages and accessible formats. Provide greater opportunities for partner organizations to build capacity, and work to strengthen existing relationships.
The NDIA talks about the loss of IMLS federal funding and the potential impact on rural libraries and communities…
Most public libraries are primarily funded by city and county taxes. Small and rural libraries with limited local funding will feel the loss of their IMLS grants the hardest. Losing millions of dollars in grant funds from IMLS will drastically impact the ability of these anchor institutions to deliver critically needed services for their community members–from getting people online to teaching them the skills they need to support workforce development, education, and telehealth.
The MN Broadband Task Force met today. They gave Diane Wells a nice send off. The also heard from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources on rights of way and permitting processes and issues.
