Blandin on Broadband

News and information on broadband use, policy, and trends

Blandin on Broadband

North Minneapolis event asks how Black communities can shape the AI era

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MSR Media Group reports…

Artificial intelligence may be changing how people work, learn and create, but Dr. Elizabeth M. Adams wants Black communities to think beyond just responding to the technology.

“I would like to see us leapfrog and actually shape the future, specifically with how we engage with AI,” Adams said.

That idea was at the center of “The AI Era: What to Know and How to Use It,” a Sister Spokesman event held Saturday, Sept. 5, at the NorthPoint Conference Center in North Minneapolis.

Presented by Sister Spokesman and the Minnesota CHILL Foundation, the gathering showed attendees how AI can boost career development, entrepreneurship, and daily tasks. Panelists also addressed concerns around privacy, bias, misinformation and its use among youth.

The event’s panel featured Adams, chief engagement officer at the Minnesota Responsible AI Institute, and Chuck Hill, president of Programming Solutions Incorporated and chair of the Minnesota CHILL Foundation.

The article shares highlights from the session.

 

EVENT Sep 17: If a data center knocks: What should West Fargo do?

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Inforum reports…

A West Fargo nonprofit group will host a community discussion, “If a data center knocks: What should West Fargo do?” on Thursday, Sept. 17, as part of its Fire Hall Chat series.

Civic West is a nonprofit group created to share information and increase civic engagement among West Fargo residents.

At the September discussion, the organization hopes to give residents the chance to learn about data centers and provide their input to city officials before they make any decisions regarding data centers, according to a press release.

The discussion will begin at 7 p.m., and will take place at the West Fargo Fire Department headquarters, 1201 10th Ave. E. It is free and open to the public.

EVENT Sep 8: St. Cloud Planning Commission holds a public hearing on data centers

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KSNI reports…

The City of St. Cloud is trying to write its data center rules before anyone proposes building one.

The St. Cloud Planning Commission holds a public hearing Tuesday evening at 6:00 at city hall on draft amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code that would, for the first time, define what a data center is in St. Cloud and specify where the largest ones could go.

The city itself is the applicant. In a September 1st memo, Community Development Director Matt Glaesman writes that the city’s current position leans on general industrial language and “a dated zoning definition with no specific site design standards.” Acting now, before a site-specific proposal lands, is “the best practice to establish appropriate standards based on community goals,” he writes.

The drafts split data centers into two categories. Enterprise or on-site facilities, the kind that have quietly operated inside businesses for years, are capped at 2,000 servers, 10,000 square feet and 50 megawatts of peak electrical use. Anything bigger is considered hyper-scale.

The St. Cloud Planning Commission plans to make a recommendation…

The Planning Commission would forward a recommendation to the city council, which holds its own public hearing before either document can be amended. Because the city is the applicant, either body can postpone action to gather more information.

EVENT Sep 9: Broadband Breakfast: How can better broadband help small businesses?

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From Broadband Breakfast...

Small businesses depend on reliable, affordable broadband to reach customers, process payments, hire remotely and compete with far larger rivals. Yet many still contend with slow speeds, spotty service and connectivity costs that strain thin margins, particularly in rural communities and underserved urban neighborhoods. Have federally-funded broadband networks had any impact on turning internet infrastructure into real economic opportunity? This session will examine how availability, adoption and digital skills shape small business growth, and what providers, policymakers and local leaders can do to ensure the smallest enterprises are not left behind.

Panelists

  • Tyler Martinez, Director of Litigation, NTUF Taxpayer Defense Center
  • Greg Guice, Chief Policy Officer, Vernonburg Group
  • Jeran Culina, Senior Manager, Business Leaders United
  • Other panelists have been invited
  • Deb Socia, President and CEO, The Enterprise Center (Ret.) (Moderator)

National Rural Electric Cooperative Association asks for flexibility with new BEAD funding round

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The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) announces…

NRECA CEO Jim Matheson today issued the following statement after the National Telecommunications and Information Agency (NTIA) announced a new round of Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program funding to be made available for states to address locations that may remain unserved.

“BEAD’s initial investment is failing rural America. Delayed implementation, shifting guidance, cost constraints and unrealistic funding assumptions have slowed progress, discouraged participation and weakened a historic opportunity to bring long-overdue broadband service to rural communities. Directing further investment under the same misguided approach will not deliver universal connectivity to rural America.

“NTIA must allow flexibility for cost increases created by program delays, align funding levels with the actual cost of deploying broadband infrastructure in America’s hardest-to-reach communities and remove fatally flawed pole attachment rules that clearly break from long-standing federal policy. Without correcting course, BEAD risks leaving rural America behind.”

More than 200 rural electric cooperatives across the U.S. are working to bridge the digital divide. NTIA and State Broadband Offices are important partners in amplifying these efforts and expanding access to affordable broadband in rural areas.

EVENT Nov 30 – Dec 2: AscendRural National Summit

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From the planners…

Bridging Innovation and Rural Communities to Improve Well-being

Join leaders from across sectors to explore what’s working, and what’s next, in advancing rural well-being through technology.

The Summit is designed as a journey – from understanding today’s rural transformation moment, to discovering innovative models and partnerships, to turning ideas into meaningful action.

Register today and help shape the future of rural well-being.

There are a few sessions that feature technology.

Amazon Leo files for three new 6-antenna ground stations in Florida, Minnesota, and Texas

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Data Center Dynamics reports…

Amazon Leo has applied to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for fixed-gateway ground stations in three states.

The company has submitted paperwork for a gateway in St. Lucie County, Florida; Norman County, Minnesota; and Gaines County, Texas.

“Prompt grant of this application will accelerate the deployment of the Amazon Leo Systems and its ability to expand broadband access for consumers, schools, hospitals, businesses, and other organizations across the United States,” the 47-page Florida application penned by Kuiper Systems corporate counsel Negheen H. Sanjar reads.

The Florida deployment is set to be located at 10161 Range Line Rd in Port St. Lucie, a teleport operated by United Teleports. The Minnesota deployment is planned at 3652 170th Avenue, a vacant plot in Twin Valley. The Texas deployment is planned for 2271 FM 1757 in Seminole.

More info on the stations…

The Florida, Minnesota, and Texas gateways will consist of six 2.4-meter antennas in the bands of 27.5-30 GHz, 17.8-18.6 GHz, and 18.8-20.2 GHz, with no more than four antennas transmitting on the same channel at any one time.

No major data center projects currently planned or proposed in Aitkin County

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The Aitkin Age reports…

No major data center projects are currently proposed or planned in Aitkin County, however, the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy said, “More than 20 large hyperscale and AI data centers have been proposed across Minnesota, with key projects located in Rosemount, Farmington and Pine Island. Tech companies are targeting Minnesota for its cool climate, available land and clean energy goals, though these projects face growing local pushback over massive water and power use.”

KSTP talks to MN Fairgoers about data centers

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KSTP TV reports…

A poll shows most Minnesotans oppose data centers as debate grows over new proposals across the state.

A 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS/SurveyUSA poll found 60% of Minnesotans are against data centers, while 27% are in favor and the rest are unsure.

State officials at the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) say there have been 12 proposed data centers in Minnesota this year, with more proposals expected next year.

To get Minnesotans’ perspective, 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS took to the Minnesota State Fair to ask residents about their opinions regarding data centers.

Comcast expands gig broadband to Mayer (Carver County)

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The Patriot reports…

Comcast is expanding reliable, high-speed Internet to nearly 1,000 homes and businesses in Mayer, bringing its multi-gigabit, symmetrical Internet to the community.

Construction is scheduled to begin in August, and the project is expected to be completed by fall 2027.

Once complete, Comcast’s full suite of residential Xfinity services will be available in Mayer, including high-speed Internet, streaming, mobile, voice and home security — delivering reliable, connected experiences for today’s consumers at home or on the go.

Google’s proposal for data enter in Hermantown gets feedback from DNR and others (St Louis County)

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Minnesota Star Tribune reports….

Google’s controversial northeast Minnesota data center proposal has “gaps” and “deficiencies,” the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said of its final environmental review. But the agency stopped short of objecting to it.

In a late August letter to the city of Hermantown the state agency wrote that the second environmental review of the forested 234-acre site leaves several questions unanswered. But as the governmental unit in charge of the project, state law dictates the city has the legal authority to decide whether the review is adequate. Its City Council could vote on it this month.

The specifics from the DNR…

The DNR said the review inaccurately described it as an agency tasked with ensuring project compliance for ground and stormwater. It’s not and that expectation could “create a false public expectation about MNDNR oversight,” Kuskie wrote in her letter to the city.

Other DNR concerns include:

  • The project’s proximity to a Minnesota Power substation, where the utility is expanding, in part, for the data center. The effects of that should be studied, the agency said.
  • Inadequate baseline data for groundwater, which was gathered during a year of drought.
  • The project’s location near trout streams and on wetlands, and a need for more information on how they will be protected or have harm minimized.

Opinions from other organizations…

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, which does have authority over some parts of the project, said the plan needs to describe other potential sites that were explored. Echoing the DNR’s concerns about wetlands and native brook trout, the agency said Google needs to make a better case for the chosen site.

And…

The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, in a lengthy joint response with Cure, a Minnesota-based environmental consultant, said the review didn’t do enough.

Some small businesses cut ties with Duluth Chamber over Hermantown data center endorsement (St Louis County)

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Northern News Now reports...

Some businesses are pulling out of the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce, after the agency put its support behind the proposed Hermantown data center this week.

Now both Zenith Bookstore and Townline Farms & Stable have now severed ties with the Chamber. The departures are due to a move these local business owners call a devastating betrayal and misrepresentation of small businesses in the organization.

On Tuesday, The Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce formally announced their support of the proposed data center.

I wrote about the Chamber’s support a few days ago. The article details the specific reasons specific businesses left the Chamber and the reaction of the community.

Minnesota Releases Draft Proposed Federal Broadband Funding Package

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From the Department of Education and Employment Development…

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) today released the state’s draft final proposal for using federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program funds to expand broadband availability.

The proposal would extend broadband access to 75,000 Minnesota homes and businesses, covering every location eligible for BEAD funding in the state. DEED is accepting public comment on the proposal for seven days, after which it will finalize and submit the plan to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) for approval before the end of the year. Construction could begin in late spring or early summer 2026.

“Fast broadband will be a welcome resource for the thousands of Minnesota residents and businesses who will soon have access,” said DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek. “This funding will help us connect thousands of Minnesota families and businesses to the internet in new, important ways.”

DEED’s proposal will use an estimated $381 million in federal BEAD grants and utilize a mixture of broadband technology, with more than half of covered locations utilizing fiber optic. Eligible locations are classified by the BEAD program as unserved (with broadband speeds slower than 25 megabits [Mbps] per second download and 3 Mbps upload) or underserved (with speeds slower than 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload).

“We are excited that 75,000 Minnesotans will soon have faster broadband because of BEAD,” said Office of Broadband Development Executive Director Bree Maki. “We are grateful to our internet service provider partners for their hard work and commitment to the Minnesotans we all serve. We will continue working hard, together, to make smart, effective investments so every Minnesotan can access broadband.”

The Office of Broadband Development will host regional, in-person informational sessions on the draft final proposal over the next week. These sessions will provide an overview of the proposal, steps for public comment and next steps for BEAD in Minnesota.

MinnPost looks at local candidates’ views on data centers in light of Trump’s support for data centers

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MinnPost reports…

President Donald Trump’s derision of communities that oppose the construction of data centers as wanting to be “backwards and poor” has put some Minnesota Republicans in a tough spot.

Data centers have rapidly become one of the defining issues in this year’s midterm elections, with polls showing both Republican and Democratic voters rejecting these facilities that Trump maintains are job-producing boons.

A recent Economist/YouGov Poll found that more than half of those polled said data centers are “bad” while only 20% said they are a good thing. Democrats were particularly likely to view data center construction negatively with 61% saying it is bad for the country. Meanwhile, 39% of GOP respondents saw new data center construction as bad while 31% viewed it as good.

The backlash can be easily understood. Data centers consume enormous amounts of electricity and water and economists have determined that their job creation is largely limited to short-term construction jobs, which has won the support of trade unions.

Still, Trump touted them as the “Golden Goose” in a post on Truth Social this week, seemingly because he said they are the cornerstone of the strategic AI arms race the United States has with China.

From Minnesota (quoted but abridged – check out MinnPost for complete quotes)…

  • Rep. Tom Emmer, R-6th District, immediately embraced the president’s message of support for the construction of data centers.
  • Rep. Brad Finstad, R-1st District, said “the discussion around AI technology is one our country needs to have.”
    “Data centers, like those proposed in southern Minnesota, can play an important role in our economic future and national security, but the decision about whether a data center is right for a particular community should be made by the people and local leaders who know their communities best, not handed down by Washington through a blanket, one-size-fits-all approach that treats every community the same,” he said in an emailed statement.
  • State Sen. Eric Pratt, a Republican who is running for retiring Rep. Angie Craig’s seat, also pushed back against Trump’s remarks about communities that don’t want to host data centers.
    He called for a “a balanced approach to data center development that puts local communities at the center of the conversation while recognizing the growing importance of domestic technology infrastructure.”
  • Pratt’s Democratic rival, former Lakeville Mayor Matt Little, has pledged to fight for moratoriums and bans on nondisclosure agreements. Some local officials in Minnesota have signed NDAs at the behest of developers, shielding details about data centers from public scrutiny.
  • And Finstad’s Democratic challenger, Jake Johnson, joined a protest against a Pine Island data center in August. …
    Johnson also released a plan for stopping data center exploitation in Minnesota.
  • Meanwhile, Trina Swanson, a Democrat running against Stauber on the Iron Range, lives close to a proposed data center in Hermantown. She condemned the NDAs signed by Hermantown officials, lack of regulations  on data center developments and heavy water use and increased energy costs.
  • Stauber’s office did not respond to a request for comment. Neither did the office of Rep. Michele Fischbach, R-7th District.
  • The subject of the first televised campaign ad run by Grant Hauschild, a DFL state senator representing Hermantown, focused on data centers and touted the regulations on the facilities considered by the state Legislature.

Cybersecurity update from Minnesota’s chief information security officer

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Federal News Network reports…

When it comes to cybersecurity, Minnesota has been ahead of the curve.

It used grant money from the Department of Homeland Security and other funding to create MNet – an enterprise telecommunications network that connects state and local government and education offices throughout the state.

Now, Minnesota is taking the “whole of state” cybersecurity effort even further.

John Israel, the state’s chief information security officer, said their updated approach is based across several pillars.

“One was really creating a baseline of cybersecurity for local government and critical infrastructure, so getting resources to do assessments, understanding baseline controls, policies, standards, and ensuring that everybody has access to resources to build a security program,” Israel said on Ask the CIO. “Second tier was really bringing some advanced control security capabilities to these local governments, so looking at the buying power that the state has and the ability to really take enterprise class capabilities and bring them to even the smallest local government that may not even have an IT team, much less a cybersecurity team, and help them see the benefits of those capabilities within their program. The third part was bringing in cyber navigators. We brought in a team of cyber advisors that can really get to know and build the relationship with those local governments. It’s not a one and done and it’s not just that you’re getting outreach or you got the nebulous, ‘the state is doing something for you.’ You actually get to know a navigator that can help understand your unique needs.”