Tag Archives: Digital Equity Plan

MN Seante hears SF5366: fund transfers in broadband budget

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Yesterday the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Broadband, and Rural Development discussed SF5366 – Putnam: Broadband supplemental appropriations and transfers
Governor’s supplemental broadband budget. (I have written about this bill before and have been following the House version HF5231.) They deciced to lay the bill over.

Presentation:

Supplemental budget proposal isn’t asking for more money but asks for permission to shift money among Border to Border, Low Density and Line Extension grant programs based on needs. The areas that are unserved are the hardest and most expensive areas to reach. We need to spend/allocate the state grants so we can take areas-to-be-served off the maps that define eligibility for federal funds. They want to make awards after July 1, 2024.

We need to authorize DEED Commissioner to access/allocate federal funds. Specifically, the recently allocated $12 million from the Digital Equity funds. The next step is to apply for those funds through capacity grants from the feds. MN is also expecting $65 million for broadband deployment.

Questions:

How much money do you want to transfer?
Up to $5 million based on applications received. We get some excellent proposals and look at match. It will just depends on the grants we see.

What area has the greatest need?
The red areas on the map in the presentation are the least served.

Does MN work with neighboring states for federal dollars?
Our broadband grants go to broadband providers, so they are in the better position to partner. But we are working with states to learn together and partnering more with tribal areas.

EVENT April 11: MN Broadband Task Force monthly meeting at Black Bear and online

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Here’s the agenda for tomorrow’s MN Broadband Task Force meeting…

Governor’s Task Force on Broadband

Thursday, April 11, 2024

10:00 a.m. – 12:35 p.m. 

Black Bear Casino Resort

1785 Highway 210

Carlton, MN 55718

OR

Join on your computer, mobile app or room device

Click here to join the meeting

Meeting ID: 254 999 787 670
Passcode: eijkqa

Download Teams | Join on the web

Join with a video conferencing device

mn@m.webex.com

Video Conference ID: 117 260 817 7

Alternate VTC instructions

Or call in (audio only)

+1 651-395-7448,,876612095#   United States, St. Paul

Phone Conference ID: 876 612 095#

Find a local number | Reset PIN

 

10:00 a.m. – 10:05 a.m.  Welcome and Introductions

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

10:05 a.m. – 10:10 a.m.  Approval of minutes from March 20th and the April 3rd Task Force Meetings

10:10 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.   Not funding ACP will have on Broadband subscribers on the reservations
Brian Hood, Operations Manager, Fond du Lac Communications

10:30 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.   BEAD Scoring rubric/Updated plan highlights
Diane Wells, Deputy Director, Office of Broadband Development

Bree Maki, Executive Director, Office of Broadband Development

10:50 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.  Digital Opportunity Update

Hannah Buckland, Digital Equity Program Lead

Bree Maki, Executive Director, Office of Broadband Development

11:00 a.m. – 11:10 a.m.  Break
11:10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.    Broadband Overview

Bree Maki, Executive Director, Office of Broadband Development

11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.   Legislature Discussion Update – Current Volume
Darielle Dannen, State Program Admin Manager

Tom Karst, Federal Program Officer, US Department of Commerce, NTIA

Bree Maki, Executive Director, Office of Broadband Development

Diane Wells, Deputy Director, Office of Broadband Development

12:00 p.m. – 12:15 p.m.   Sub-Group Discussion

12:15 p.m. – 12:20 p.m.                Public Comment, Other Business, May 15th Meeting Plans, Wrap-up

Updates From the Office of Broadband Development: upcoming webinars and approved Digital Equity Plan

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From the Office of Broadband Development…

Updates From the Office of Broadband Development

  • Register today: Weekly webinar series continues in April from OBD
  • Minnesota’s Digital Opportunity Plan: Approved!
  • NTIA releases State Digital Equity Capacity Grant NOFO
  • Welcome to our new staff in the Office of Broadband Development!

Weekly webinar series kicks off in April from the Office of Broadband Development

Register today for the Broadband Development Tuesday Training Series: Navigating PLUS (Permitting, Land Use, and State Systems).

This series will take place Tuesdays in April, 10-11:30am. Agency experts will provide an overview of their agency, and information on current processes, timelines, goals, and best practices working on broadband projects and with broadband grantees.

Register for sessions below:

Content from the series is recorded and posted to the Office of Broadband Development’s webpage.  

Minnesota’s Digital Opportunity Plan: Approved!

On March 26, NTIA approved Minnesota’s Digital Opportunity Plan. This plan outlines steps the state will take, using a forthcoming NTIA State Digital Equity Capacity Grant, to advance digital opportunities statewide. To read the full plan, please visit OBD’s Digital Opportunity website. During the coming weeks, we’ll use this newsletter space to walk through the plan section by section.

NTIA releases State Digital Equity Capacity Grant NOFO

On Friday, March 29, NTIA released the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant NOFO, making available federal funds to implement Minnesota’s Digital Opportunity Plan. As the state’s eligible entity for this award, OBD is charged with preparing Minnesota’s application. Funds are being doled out in three installments; Minnesota is slated to receive $12,033,288 in this first round. More information will be available later this spring.

Samantha Ernst, Broadband Grants Specialist

Samantha has previously worked in the non-profit sector managing state and federal grants to support programing related to education, environment and healthy futures. She is excited to apply her knowledge of grants and project management to the exciting work happening at OBD.

In her spare time, she enjoys going on adventures and spending time with her husband, three dogs and cat!

Update from Office of Broadband Development: Minnesota’s Digital Opportunity Plan approved

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An Update from Office of Broadband Development…

Just one week ago, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) approved Minnesota’s Digital Opportunity Plan

This plan outlines the steps the state will take, using a forthcoming NTIA State Digital Equity Capacity Grant, to advance digital opportunities statewide. We’ve appreciated the congratulatory notes that have shown up in our inboxes this past week and want to emphasize: This plan is Minnesota’s plan, and this achievement belongs to us all.

To read the full, approved version of Minnesota’s Digital Opportunity Plan, please visit OBD’s Digital Opportunity website.

In the coming weeks and months, we’ll be updating this page and sharing more information about what our implementation process and timeline look like.

Here’s what we know today:

  • NTIA released the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program notice of funding opportunity and application materials on 3/29/24. OBD will submit Minnesota’s application by 5/28/24.
  • Capacity grant funds will be doled out to states in three installments. MN will received $12M during this first round.
  • NTIA expects to begin awarding funds on a rolling basis beginning no later than 8/28/24.

It was never OBD’s goal to present a digital opportunity plan for Minnesota. Rather, from to onset, OBD has strived to ensure this plan belongs to Minnesota. Thank you for being part of this historical effort and the new opportunities that lie ahead as we work together to better connect all Minnesota residents to opportunities, options, and each other.

Biden-Harris Administration Allocates More Than $800 Million to Increase Digital Inclusion Efforts

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Here’s the latest from the NTIA (spoiler alert, looks like Minnesota could get $12 million in digital equity funding)…

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) today announced approximately $811 million in digital equity funding, including allocations for all 56 states and territories and funding available for Native entities. This funding will empower individuals and communities with the tools, skills, and opportunities to benefit from meaningful access to high-speed Internet service.

This funding from the Digital Equity Act in President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is part of the “Internet for All” initiative, a key component of President Biden’s “Investing in America” agenda.

Under the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) released today, states and territories can apply for funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to begin implementation of their digital equity plans. These digital equity plans identify the barriers to accessing and using digital resources and establish measurable objectives for promoting access to and meaningful use of broadband technology and advancing digital skills.

“President Biden is committed to ensuring everyone in America has access to affordable, reliable high-speed Internet service,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “Commerce’s work building high-speed Internet infrastructure is only part of the equation. Families across America need the tools and skills required to make the most of that Internet connection, and that’s the opportunity we’re announcing today. President Biden’s digital equity initiative will make the promise of the Internet come alive for everyone in our country, no matter where they live or what their background is.”

“Today’s announcement marks our nation’s single largest investment in digital equity ever,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communication and Information and NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson. “This funding will ensure that our seniors, veterans, communities of color, families living below the poverty line, and people living in rural areas have the tools, skills, and devices they need to thrive in the modern digital economy.”

The Internet for All initiative includes three pillars: deployment, equity and affordability.  As the Administration moves forward with this vital equity program, President Biden continues to call on Congress to pass legislation that would extend funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program, so tens of millions of households can continue to access this essential program, which enables them to participate in school and access job opportunities, telemedicine, connection with loved ones and more.

Digital Equity Funding Timeline

As part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Digital Equity Act provided $2.75 billion to establish three grant programs that promote digital equity and inclusion.

Today’s Notice of Funding Opportunity announces the first funding available through the $1.44 billion Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program. This funding opportunity includes funds appropriated for Fiscal Years 2022-2024. Additional funding opportunities will be available in the future.

In 2022, NTIA began awarding $60 million to states and territories from the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program. Since then, all 50 States, D.C., and Puerto Rico have submitted their Digital Equity Plans to NTIA for acceptance, and NTIA continues to review plans. Once an eligible entity’s plan is accepted, it is able to apply to this new funding opportunity announced today.

In the coming months, NTIA will launch the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program, which is a $1.25 billion grant program that will make funds available to a variety of entities, including for example, some political subdivisions of states, native entities, nonprofits, community anchor institutions, local educational agencies, workforce development organizations, as well as territories. By statute, the competitive grant program will launch 30 days after NTIA makes its first Capacity Grant Program award.

Funding Overview for the State Capacity Grant Program

About $760 million is available to 50 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico

Each state’s funding allocation, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, was calculated based on a formula defined in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and specified in the Notice of Funding Opportunity. The formula takes into account the relative population of the state (50%), the relative size of the covered populations residing in the state (25%), and the comparative lack of availability and adoption of broadband (25%).

About $45 million is available to Native entities: 

The Capacity Grant program will make $45 million available on a competitive basis to Native entities to promote digital inclusion and broadband adoption efforts for their communities. This includes over $3 million for digital equity planning activities and $42 million for related projects. The Digital Equity Act requires that no less than 5% of award funds be available to Tribal governments and Native entities.

About $8.4 million is available to territories: 

The Digital Equity Act includes a set aside of no less than 1% of available award funds for the remaining territories: American Samoa, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and U.S. Virgin Islands.  This NOFO includes a set aside of $8.4 million, split equally among those four territories.

 

State Digital Equity Tentative Allocation Amount
Alabama $13,702,566.00
Alaska $5,631,769.64
Arizona $16,170,760.44
Arkansas $10,161,429.01
California $70,226,453.82
Colorado $12,368,261.03
Connecticut $9,183,114.07
Delaware $4,816,482.10
District of Columbia $3,804,000.00
Florida $41,748,794.74
Georgia $22,455,639.68
Hawaii $6,017,160.03
Idaho $6,305,226.45
Illinois $23,732,912.78
Indiana $15,096,770.19
Iowa $8,442,129.37
Kansas $8,229,246.17
Kentucky $12,123,531.39
Louisiana $12,727,887.98
Maine $5,784,349.60
Maryland $13,427,134.17
Massachusetts $14,133,924.00
Michigan $20,585,775.60
Minnesota  $12,033,288.01  
Mississippi $10,752,090.73
Missouri $14,237,940.09
Montana $6,938,534.64
Nebraska $6,500,627.76
Nevada $9,200,546.13
New Hampshire $4,942,018.62
New Jersey $18,094,857.62
New Mexico $8,673,975.84
New York $36,984,641.81
North Carolina $22,456,097.01
North Dakota $4,549,772.25
Ohio $23,291,991.74
Oklahoma $11,233,311.64
Oregon $9,947,586.17
Pennsylvania $25,508,473.61
Rhode Island $4,540,059.53
South Carolina $12,846,583.30
South Dakota $5,010,234.08
Tennessee $15,814,288.00
Texas $55,641,147.86
Utah $7,795,149.91
Vermont $5,299,150.18
Virginia $18,330,732.47
Washington $15,983,291.58
West Virginia $9,011,588.00
Wisconsin $13,248,029.83
Wyoming $5,251,485.99
American Samoa $2,100,000.00
Guam $2,100,000.00
Northern Mariana Islands $2,100,000.00
Puerto Rico $9,807,187.39
U.S. Virgin Islands $2,100,000.00

 

DEED Announces Federal Approval of Digital Opportunity Plan

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MN DEED reports…

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) today announced Minnesota’s Digital Opportunity Plan has been accepted by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The acceptance means the state is now eligible for federal grants to implement the plan, which will help reduce gaps in internet adoption, and expand digital skills and digital technology access.

“Minnesota is a leader in delivering broadband, and we continue to expand service to underserved and unserved areas throughout the state,” said DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek. “As our Digital Opportunity Plan illustrates, we are equally committed to ensuring every Minnesotan has the tools and skills needed to harness the full power of broadband and reap the benefits of a digital economy.”

“Broadband is an essential economic development tool that helps Minnesota communities grow and thrive, gain workers and support business vitality,” said DEED Deputy Commissioner for Economic Development Kevin McKinnon. “The Digital Opportunity Plan complements the state’s ambitious broadband connectivity plans to ensure digital equity statewide.”

The Digital Equity Act, part of the Internet for All initiative and a key piece of President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda, provides $2.75 billion to establish three federal grant programs – the State Digital Equity Planning Grant, Digital Equity Capacity Grant and Digital Equity Competitive Grant – that promote digital equity and inclusion.

DEED’s Digital Opportunity Plan, produced by the Office of Broadband Development (OBD), details how Minnesota will use its Internet for All grant funding to expand digital access. Minnesota identified the following objectives:

  • Establish a Digital Opportunity Leaders Network to coordinate and support digital opportunity initiatives regionally and statewide;
  • Expand OBD’s public data and mapping tools to include digital opportunity measures;
  • Prepare reports exploring models for: (1) a statewide tech helpline; (2) state-level broadband affordability programs; and (3) a state-managed system for loaning large-screen devices long-term to Minnesotans with low vision;
  • Partner with state offices serving people at high risk for digital exclusion;
  • Coordinate with Internet Service Providers to support newly-connected households needing education and resources; and
  • Administer targeted grants to support: (1) local and tribal governments preparing their own digital opportunity plans; (2) community partners piloting positions focused on trust-based digital opportunity work; (3) small businesses improving technology access; and (4) local and tribal governments improving web accessibility.

Last year, OBD spent several months developing its initial Digital Opportunity Plan to submit to NTIA. OBD held public meetings in 16 cities across Minnesota and two online meetings to gather public feedback on its plan to reduce gaps in broadband access, digital technology ownership and digital skills.

“We are thrilled and honored to have our plan accepted by NTIA and we are extremely grateful to the state and community leaders and countless Minnesotans who supported the plan’s development and provided feedback at our statewide public meetings or online,” said OBD Executive Director Bree Maki. “The feedback and support were essential not only to ensure our plan would be approved, but also that it would provide Minnesotans with the tools, resources and skills needed to achieve their digital technology goals. We are pleased that we can now move forward on implementing this plan as we work to connect people to people, connect people to information and connect people to resources.”

Earlier this month, DEED announced $53 million in grants to expand broadband to 8,900 Minnesota homes and businesses. DEED is now accepting applications for another $50 million grant round for broadband infrastructure expansion.

In addition to federal digital equity grants, DEED will also manage $652 million in federal Broadband Equity, Access and Development (BEAD) Program funding to expand broadband to the most unserved and underserved Minnesotans.

An East Central MN take on Minnesota’s 2024 budget and legislative session – broadband gets a mention

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ABC Newspapers (Anoka County) posts an editorial from the APG of East Central Minnesota Editorial Board about priorities for 2024 Minnesota Legislative session. Interesting to see that broadband is mention as a priority for Minnesota, although I have yet to hear anything about funding or other legislative actions related to broadband…

Doug Loon, chamber president, told our editors the state must prioritize productivity, regain its position as the Upper Midwest’s talent magnet and address the ongoing tight labor market.

The longterm economic success of the state should, according to Loon, focus on local communities with special attention to housing, broadband and child care. “Inclusion is a strength for Minnesota’s economic future,” he also urged.

Regarding wireline broadband service, with the need for upgrades in bandwidth for internet service, research shows that the metro is three times more likely to provide adequate service than Minnesota’s rural areas.

While it remains a challenge, Black employee labor force participation increased in Minnesota, now ranking third highest in the nation, in a Department of Economic Development study.

Citing the Minnesota Technology Association, “Minnesota ranks last in the country in foundational computer science offerings at public high schools.” In addition, the state is not graduating nearly enough post-secondary-degree holders to meet tech employers’ demand.

Internet service aside, state lawmakers beginning Feb. 12 will likely consider a bonding bill, tax cuts, further funding of existing programs and/or increasing the current budget reserve. Already many initiatives are seeking funding or bonding, from education, to child care programs, to transportation and water infrastructure in Greater Minnesota.

Also worth noting that … Minnesota ranks last in the country in foundational computer science offerings at public high schools. Federal funding is coming and the Office of Broadband Development is making a plan.

Research-based advice for Digital Equity Orgs and Policymakers

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We know that money will be coming to Minnesota for digital equity based on the BEAD Digital Equity Plan that the Office of Broadband Develop has created That money will be doled out to local digital equity organizations. The Digital Equity Research Center has just release a report (Developing a Digital Equity Theory of Change with Tech Goes Home) that looks at how to measure the impact of digital equity work in a meaningful way…

The purpose of the project was to understand how participatory action research could be used to develop a theory of change and an evaluation framework to benefit Tech Goes Home, its community, and the larger digital equity field. To inform the project, the research sought insights from digital inclusion and digital equity organizations across the United States to understand how they articulated what success looks like to them and their communities. The research team examined how these theories of change help organizations use data to evaluate their programs and services. The ultimate goal of the project was to gather data to assist Tech Goes Home in developing a theory of change for the organization that could inform how the organization measures the outcomes and impacts of their digital equity work.

I thought that their recommendations might be helpful for the local digital equity community as well as researchers and policymakers…

For Digital Equity Organizations

  • Allocate time, money, and intentional effort to capture insights and expertise from community members. Recent discussions in the digital equity field, both at practitioner conferences and in other spaces where digital equity researchers are gathering, have argued that organizations must pay community members to gain their expertise and participation in program evaluations.
  • Engage evaluation participants in their native languages. Digital equity organizations that serve learners who speak multiple languages should work to ensure that their needs are considered in program evaluation efforts. These populations are likely to face compounded barriers to both digital inclusion and survey participation, and their experiences are therefore crucial to accurately understand the impact of programs.
  • Work with funders to balance reporting requirements with sensitivity to participants’ privacy and attention to self-defined measures of success. Other digital equity organizations identified that one of the significant challenges they face is the need to gather data to show funders the outcomes and impacts of their financial support, while also showing community members why these activities are mutually beneficial. There can also be challenges in marrying what a funder requests and what the organization knows is perhaps a more representative indicator of success. Organizations should work with funders to establish respectful guidelines that ensure program evaluation is compelling, representative, and responsive to community needs.

Advice from Peer Organizations

  • Digital equity organizations should stay focused on what they do well. Because the priority of funders can change over time, thus making program evaluation a moving target, we heard from our interviewees that it’s important for organizations in the digital equity field to stay true to their mission and the communities they serve.
  • Provide support to community partners when they are asked to gather sensitive information. Digital equity organizations–like Tech Goes Home and others who we interviewed for this project who work with community partners to provide their programs and services–should co-create meaningful and respectful ways to address privacy concerns mentioned above. One way to do this is to take the lead on gathering this information and avoid placing the burden on community partners.
  • Listen to your community, ask them for advice. Most of the people from peer organizations who we interviewed for this study relied on the knowledge, expertise, and wisdom of their community members and partners. Particularly in helping to define what success of their digital equity programs look like. Therefore, it’s essential that digital equity organizations develop deep ties and connections with people and leaders in their communities to ensure that digital equity programs address their needs and inform further opportunities to work towards digital equity and social justice.

For State and Federal Policymakers

  • The success of broadband infrastructure programs relies on digital equity funding. Community members cannot access the digital world without affordable and reliable internet service, internet-equipped hardware, and hands-on support in making use of it. When evaluating the success of broadband deployment, administering entities must also consider whether communities have access to the digital equity programs necessary to make use of broadband access.

  • Set aside funding that organizations can use to conduct program evaluation. Digital equity organizations have been arguing for years that if funders expect them to show the outcomes and impacts of their investments, the organizations should be compensated to do this work. Because program evaluation is time-intensive particularly when engaging covered populations, state and federal entities should allocate funding that can be used by digital equity organizations to measure the success of their state or federally funded programs as part of contracts.

  • Provide technical assistance on program evaluation for digital equity organizations. In addition to funding, state and federal entities should provide technical assistance to support digital equity organizations in conducting outcomes[1]based evaluation. Counting outputs, such as numbers of digital skills classes offered or numbers of computers distributed, is a much easier task for organizations. However, if digital equity organizations are required to show the mid and longer[1]term outcomes, as detailed in the Tech Goes Home logic model in this report, then technical assistance must be provided by state and federal entities to help local organizations, particularly under-funded nonprofits, with this work

  • Allow and encourage organizations to use government funding to compensate community members for their expertise. State and federal agencies should require grantees that receive funding to implement and evaluate digital equity programs to provide evidence that community members were engaged in determining what the success of these programs look like. State and federal agencies should also ensure that compensating community members for their expertise be allowable as a budgetable expense. If this unprecedented federal funding is truly to make an impact, then those most impacted by digital inequalities must be included as partners in the creation, implementation, and evaluation of these programs.

Office of Broadband Development News: Grant info, upcoming meetings, BEAD comments welcome

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Reposting the Office of Broadband Development email-new alert…

Office of Broadband Development News

The following updates are available from the Office of Broadband Development:

  • Border-to-Border and Lower Population Density Broadband Grant Application
  • Public Comment Period for BEAD Initial Proposals
  • Informational Webinars for BEAD Initial Proposals
  • Governor’s Task Force on Broadband Meeting
  • NTIA Tier D or E Fabric Licenses

Border-to-Border and Lower Population Density Broadband Grant Application

We have updated the Frequently Asked Questions for those providers who have completed their pre-application outreach and are working on submitting a Round 9 grant application.

Reminder: If you are a provider who completed the pre-application outreach and intends to submit a Round 9 Grant Application, it is strongly suggested that you register and complete set-up of your Minnesota Grant Management System account and familiarize yourself with the grants management portal prior to the 1:30 p.m. December 7, 2023 application deadline.

If you have any questions, please email both gms.deed@state.mn.us AND deed.broadband@state.mn.us and we will get back to you.

Public Comment Period for the BEAD Initial Proposals

We have opened the public comment period for the State’s Draft Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, Initial Proposal (Volumes I and II) for the Minnesota plan on how to distribute the federal funding for broadband infrastructure allocated to the state by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

The Initial Proposal will be submitted to the federal agency overseeing the funding, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, no later than December 27, 2023. Here is the link to read the initial draft proposals in Volume 1 and 2 and provide public comments by December 12 at 4 p.m.
Informational Webinars for the BEAD Initial Proposals
Join us for informational webinars on the State’s Draft BEAD Initial Proposal (Volumes I and II) with time for Q&A on either December 4 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. or December 5 from 8:30 to 10 a.m.
Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations to attend the virtual event should contact deed.broadband@state.mn.us at least 3 business days prior to the webinar. The webinars will be recorded and posted on the DEED website.
Governor’s Task Force on Broadband MeetingThe Task Force will be meeting on Thursday, November 30 from 10 a.m. to 12:35 p.m. in-person at the Minnesota Association of Townships, 805 Central Avenue East, St. Michael, MN  55376 or virtually via Microsoft Teams.DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek will join virtually, and Kathryn de Wit and Jake Varn from The Pew Charitable Trust will be attending in-person. The agenda and meeting details can be found here.
NTIA Tier D or E Fabric Licenses
To support federal broadband funding program requirements, organizations may be eligible to receive an NTIA Tier D or E Fabric license.  There is no cost associated with these licenses and they are distinct from the CostQuest licenses issued in support of the FCC’s Broadband Data Collection program.  The NTIA Tier D & E licenses support a broader range of purposes, including administration of the BEAD program, participation in the BEAD eligible entity challenge processes, and reporting requirements associated with the Broadband Funding Map and the BEAD program. These uses are not covered under the FCC Tier 2 or Tier 4 licenses. Specifically, the Tier D and E licenses are intended for qualified or presumptively qualified, prospective direct recipients or indirect subrecipients, awarded direct recipients or indirect subrecipients, and challengers to participate in Federal Broadband Granting Agency’s (FBGA) broadband grant programs through either a challenge process, by applying for an award of available funds, or by reporting on an awarded grant/loan (including reporting related to the Broadband Funding Map authorized by IIJA § 60105).The Tier D license is available upon request.  Although the Tier E license is available, CostQuest will coordinate the approval of Tier E licenses with individual State Broadband Offices and NTIA.  The intent of this coordination is to ensure that the delivery of the Licensed Materials coincides with the state challenge process.For more information on which license you may need please visit: https://costquest.info/3sZyhXB.  You can make a license request using these websites:Tier D: https://apps.costquest.com/NTIArequest/Tier E: https://apps.costquest.com/ntiatiererequest/Information regarding how to complete the license application process can be found here:Tier D: https://costquest.info/3NFWE3e Tier E: https://costquest.info/3EWlGXJIf you have any questions, CostQuest can be reached directly by emailing IFAsupport@costquest.com

How does Minnesota’s Digital Equity Plan compare to other states?

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The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society looks at all of the state Digital Equity Plans that are available…

As all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico draft and release their digital equity plans, the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society is tracking how they articulate their visions of digital equity. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) suggests that digital equity visions address at least these two questions:

  1. What will digital equity look like in the context of your state?

  2. What are the broad goals that should be accomplished in executing this plan (e.g., improve rural health outcomes, increase underrepresented youth employment in technology-related fields)?

Here’s what they gleaned from Minnesota…

Minnesota:  A future where digital equity connects all Minnesota residents to opportunities, options, and each other.

This is the rare case where I am at least as interested in what other states are saying and pulling out the visions makes it a lot more practical to do that breadth of research. Minnesota’s vision is broad. Many visions are broadband; most almost mention affordability, skill to use technology and access. A coupe added a goal timeline; Nevada aims for 2029 and Washington aims for 2028.

Digital Opportunity Listening Session Sep 21 in Minneapolis: Notes and Video

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The MN Office of Broadband Development is hosting talks about Minnesota’s Digital Opportunity Planning Process. It’s an opportunity for folks to learn more and/or chime in with their view of the Draft Digital Opportunity Plan.

I went to the session in St Paul a couple weeks ago and today attended one in Minneapolis.

Most of the session is spent with OBD giving information and since I’ve previously attended a session, I didn’t take many notes. I was more interested in feedback from attendees. There was about 15 minute at the end for folks to ask questions. Many of the questions revolved around the grant opportunities. There seems to be concern that Minneapolis won’t get their portion of grants. (I suspect there was a little bit of that in every session.)  More notes below.

Remarks from Hennepin County:

  • Hennepin County has been working on digital equity in the county.
  • Hennepin County has been having conversations with public all summer. They have been focusing on talking to folks in apartments.
  • As many committees in rural as urban areas. Only area with fewer groups was southwest MN.
  • Information literacy is a part of digital literacy?

Q: how many in the room have clients that voice concerns about security?
A: 5 hands up out of 20-ish people in the room

Q: how many in the room know what a digital navigator is?
A: 7 hands up

Q: What are the grant priorities?
A: We don’t know.

Overheard comments:

  • how do you categorize “rural city”? It seems like this implies that if you’re rural your needs are more important.
  • Interesting that some rural areas are well served.

Gaps after folks spoke in small groups

  • Black and brown people and people with disabilities deserve the same computers as people working for the county get. When you get a job, someone sets up your computer. We need to be able to offer the same service. And pay folks when they help them.
  • Glad to see noncompetitive grants
  • Barriers are system challenges
  • We need multiple language supports
  • Infrastructure – people without broadband are being left behind
  • Glad to see prioritization of digital navigators
  • Our experience working with older adults has been very positive
  • Youth aren’t a covered population. There are pockets esp in rural areas where youth might not fit in another covered population
  • Concerned about rural cities, communities and townships. What’s the difference between a rural and urban city? Mpls is less served than Henn County and the State. Afraid Mpls will be left behind.
  • There are areas without broadband in Minneapolis?
  • Have you through about vocational schools esp for new immigrants?
  • Are we talking about need based or age based? There’s also cultural and location. How do we prioritize it?
  • This list doesn’t give a good idea of what we can do.
  • Where is the intersectionality?

Office of Broadband Development visits Two Harbors: some people waiting 15 years for infrastructure

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I’ve been mentioning the Office of Broadband Development’s tour of communities to get feedback on their Digital Opportunity Plan. They were recently in Two Harbors and local media outlet WDIO (ABC) reported on the visit…

Throughout their previous stops around the state, there are common things that residents are sharing, and some have a lot in common. “Some individuals don’t have the infrastructure when it comes to infrastructure for these services. People have been waiting for up to fifteen years for infrastructure. Beyond that, we’ve had a good amount of professionals, whether governmental or nongovernmental community services professionals who share with us the need for digital navigators. Those are people that teach skills one to one with communities or public people who need digital and broadband help.”

Throughout their previous stops around the state, there are common things that residents are sharing, and some have a lot in common. “Some individuals don’t have the infrastructure when it comes to infrastructure for these services. People have been waiting for up to fifteen years for infrastructure. Beyond that, we’ve had a good amount of professionals, whether governmental or nongovernmental community services professionals who share with us the need for digital navigators. Those are people that teach skills one to one with communities or public people who need digital and broadband help.”

EVENT Sep 22: RAMS broadband and digital opportunity meeting

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It’s not clear to me if this is a new addition to the Office of Broadband Development Draft Digital Opportunity Plan listening sessions of something a little different. I think it will be a very interesting meeting!

Friday, September 22, 11:00am — RAMS hosts Bree Maki, MN Office of Broadband

Register HERE

We know that the quality of the access as well as the opportunity to connect through the internet is impacted by where you live on the Range. On Friday, September 22, RAMS will host a digital opportunity listening session with Bree Maki, director of the MN Office of Broadband. Director Maki is seeking input on the state of the draft MN digital equity and access plan as well as how broadband is or isn’t serving communities in northern Minnesota. Participants will have the opportunity to give feedback on the plan, as well as how service AND infrastructure/buildouts are impacting rolling out the plan in underserved communities. Please plan to attend and advocate for your needs.
This is a RAMS event, at the RAMS offices in Mountain Iron. Lunch will be provided. 

Pre-registration is required. Attendance is limited to 20.

Register HERE

Government self-service technology builds trust and engagement with residents

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Civic Plus reports…

We surveyed over 16,000 Americans to determine what factors most impacted community members in fostering feelings of trust in their local government. We found that residents in communities with digital resident self-service technology are more satisfied with their local government than residents still dependent on analog interactions to obtain government services. Residents in technology-forward communities also tend to be more engaged civic participants.

It’s worth noting that Civic Plus provides government technology solutions and may have a vested interest, yet the research is still interesting. I know improving government websites is one of the goals of the Office of Broadband Development’s Digital Opportunity Plan so thought it might be interesting to share the top mort important attributes to a government system, according to their survey takers:

  1. Full public access to all information
  2. Easy to find information about meetings and agendas
  3. Instant notification about administrative decisions
  4. Updates to codes and ordinances their local government makes
  5. Instant notifications about topics their local government will be addressing