Quick look at impact of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in Minnesota

The White House has created fact sheets for each state on how much has been spent through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, including Minnesota. The list all of the awards, but I’m only listing broadband info…

Internet: High-speed internet is necessary for Americans to do their jobs, participate in school, access health care, and stay connected. Yet, over 135,984 homes and small businesses in Minnesota do not have access to high-speed internet infrastructure. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests $65 billion to provide affordable, high-speed internet to everyone in America. The Biden-Harris Administration worked with internet providers to offer high-speed internet plans that are fully covered by the Affordable Connectivity Program — meaning most eligible households can now get high-speed internet without paying a dime. Now, the Biden-Harris Administration is calling on Congress to extend this program through 2024. Without action from Congress, millions of Americans will lose their internet connection and the economic opportunities that come with it. See ACP enrollment for every state and Congressional District here.

Announced funding: To date, Minnesota has received $651.8 million through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (BEAD) to provide access to high-speed internet to everyone in Minnesota. In addition, about 234,000 households in Minnesota are enrolled in the Affordable Connectivity Program, with more signing up every day. Households can check their eligibility, sign up, and find fully covered internet plans at GetInternet.gov.

They highlight a ReConnect Project:

ReConnect Project Spotlight Meeker Cooperative Light & Power Association The Department of Agriculture has awarded approximately $19 million to the Meeker Cooperative Light & Power Association to deploy a fiber-to-the premises network to provide high-speed internet. This network will benefit 458 people, 16 businesses, 124 farms and one educational facility in Kandiyohi, Meeker and Stearns counties in Minnesota. This unique investment ensures that rural communities have access to the internet connectivity needed to allow rural America to remain a place of opportunity to both live and work.

Whitehouse reports in broadband investment through Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in Minnesota

The Whitehouse reports

Eight months following the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Biden-Harris Administration has made unprecedented investments in all 50 states and territories to build a better America that delivers for all communities. Since November 2021, President Biden and Vice President Harris have left no community behind in their efforts to rebuild America’s infrastructure.

Here’s what the Whitehouse says about broadband in Minnesota

Internet: High-speed internet is necessary for Americans to do their jobs, participate in school, access health care, and stay connected. Yet nearly 19% of Minnesotans do not have an internet subscription. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests $65 billion to provide affordable, high-speed internet to every American. Minnesota will receive a 2 minimum allocation of at least $100 million to help ensure high-speed internet coverage across the state. Additionally, experts estimate that as many as 860,000 households in Minnesota are eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program, which cuts internet bills by up to $30 per month, or $75 for households on Tribal lands, and provides a one-time $100 discount off a connected device. The Biden-Harris Administration is providing further cost savings by working with internet providers to offer high-speed internet plans that are fully covered by the Affordable Connectivity Program — meaning most eligible households can now get high-speed internet without paying a dime.

  • Progress to date: About 125,506 households in Minnesota are enrolled in the Affordable Connectivity Program, with more signing up every day. Households can check their eligibility, sign up, and find fully covered internet plans at GetInternet.gov.