Tag Archives: Line Extension

Year End Broadband Update from the Office of Broadband Development: notes and video

Posted on by
Reply

The Office of Broadband Development gave a year end review this morning. They spoke about what’s happened in the last year, which focused on BEAD. The big news is that they are still waiting to get final approval of the BEAD proposal. They have had 18 rounds of curing the proposal and it sounds as if they are getting close. They hope to hear more before the end of the year. Sonds they are also hoping for State funds in the future.

They shared information on how much each county is slated to review from BEAD.

Lots of details on what the process will be for subgrantees once the proposal is approved.

They are hoping to announce the last round awards for Line Extension funding.

Questions:

Will the OBD release a template Attorney Letter associated with the LoC & Performance Bond?
They are working on what they need. An answer will be available soon.

When/how will we receive the geospatial request and how long will we have to complete that information?
Hi Jamie, when our grantor portal opens, you can upload the project’s geospatial data to the portal. I recommend taking a look at the geospatial data you submitted when you applied and see if it meets the requirements mentioned in the slide and if it includes all of the preliminary awarded locations.  There is no limit on how long you have to complete the geospatial data, but the faster you submit, the faster we will be able to review and work through NEPA.
The Us Forestry permitting process can take up to 270 days….

Hi! Should we plan on further location negotiations taking place once there is approval from NTIA?
We will be reaching out to providers/applicants. There will be an opportunity to negotiate but we won’t know how much negotiation is possible given federal rules.

Megan, please explain how requests for permits from US Forestry or MN DNR interface with MN’s NEPA permitting. If the NTIA/MN NEPA determination is that the project should be awarded a CatEX, how does that CatEX expedite permits from US Forestry, Fish & Game or MN DNR.
We recommend getting through NEPA through ESAP tool. That can be submitted this licenses and permits. The agencies will want to see the NEPA info.

Megan following up, on NEPA determination question above, did the NTIA get interagency agreements from BLM, US Forestry to honor the NTIA CatEX determination?
Not positive. Both have released a memo about broadband.

Office of Broadband Development Matters Dec 3: Upcoming meetings

Posted on by
Reply

From the Office of Broadband Development… (I plan to post each event separately too, just so folks are sure to see them)

Broadband Matters: Office of Broadband Development Updates

  • December webinar + BEAD updates
  • Line Extension Connection Program update
  • Broadband Task Force, December meeting plans
  • Broadband National Expo, State Showcase – Minnesota’s Collaborative Approach to Broadband Deployment

December webinar + BEAD updates

OBD will be hosting a webinar, Minnesota Broadband Updates on Wednesday December 17 at 11am to recap Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) efforts in 2025 and go over next steps for what the OBD expects for broadband grant programs going into 2026. This webinar is open to the public and will be recorded and posted to the OBD BEAD webpage. Registration is available below.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) continues to announce approved Final Proposals for BEAD, which can be followed from NTIA’s BEAD Progress Dashboard. OBD expects approval will come through soon, and will be in-line with NTIA’s timeline of reviewing and approving proposals within 90 days of when the Final Proposal was submitted. Minnesota submitted the BEAD Final Proposal to NTIA on September 4, 2025.

Continue to watch for updates! The OBD BEAD webpage will be undergoing changes, along with new and additional resources being added.

Line Extension Connection Program update

The Round 4 Line Extension bidding window closed on November 25, 2025.

OBD is evaluating the bids submitted during Round 4 and expects to announce award decisions soon. Updates will be posted to the OBD Line Extension Connection Program webpage.

While the window for residential and business sign-ups to be included in the bidding for Round 4 of the Line Extension Connection Program closed, registration will remain open for future rounds if and as funding is available. OBD expects to run a fifth round of Line Extension with state project funds.

Questions on Line Extension can be sent to deed.broadband@state.mn.us or (651)-259-7610.

Broadband Task Force, December meeting plans

The Broadband Task Force will be meeting on Thursday December 18 at 10am. This meeting will be held virtually and is open to anyone from the public to attend. The Teams link to join the meeting will be included at the top of the meeting agenda, which will be posted along with other information on past meetings on the Broadband Task Force webpage.

Broadband National Expo, State Showcase – Minnesota’s Collaborative Approach to Broadband Deployment

OBD’s Executive Director, Bree Maki, attended the Broadband National Expo in Orlando Florida, and spoke on the November 20th panel, State Showcase – Minnesota’s Collaborative Approach to Broadband Deployment, alongside Joe Buttweiler (Chief Strategy Officer, CTC) and Brent Christensen (President/CEO,
Minnesota Telecom Alliance), pictured below.

Minnesota is proud of it’s collaborative partnerships and is continuing to see success by these efforts.

Did your county get any of the $20 million in MN Line Extension grants in the last three rounds?

Posted on by
Reply

Congrats to the counties who have done well getting Line Extension grants. Congrats to the counties who don’t need them. For counties who need help getting better broadband and haven’t been getting Line Extension funding, here’s more information.

The numbers for Line Extension awards by county are now available for the three rounds that have been awarded. For those you don’t wake up Monday looking for the latest updates on MN broadband, I’ll start with a little reminder. Line Extension is a broadband support managed by the Office of Broadband Development. Info on how it works from the Office of Broadband Development…

Residential and business locations that are unserved (lack access to speeds of at least 25Mbps download and 3Mbps upload) can apply by entering their information into the Line Extension Connection portal*. This will initiate their interest in receiving broadband internet service and make their location available for consideration. By submitting your address into the Line Extension Connection portal, internet service providers will have the opportunity to review the location and submit a bid based on the cost to bring service to your location. The Office of Broadband Development will evaluate these bids and required provider documentation and make awards to the providers whose bid proposes the lowest cost to the State for extension of the service.

It helps fill in holes in a community where there’s one household that two miles off the road or maybe the six houses on the “other side” of the lake. In light of promise of federal BEAD funding, Line Extension has been the only focus of state funding for broadband this year.

The Office of Broadband has recently shared updated number of how much each county has received. (You can download the spreadsheet for more information.)

Over three rounds, $20,314,363.07 has been awarded. Below are the grant total awards in order of the amount received by county. A few quick notes: not every county has received awards, because not every county needs the help. (At least 10 MN counties have more than 99 percent broadband coverage, as of last year.) Even in this list, the need is variable. You can learn more about the next round of Line Extension grants from the Office of Broadband Development.

County Grand Total (Dollars)
Becker 2850601.5
St. Louis 2619282.61
Crow Wing 2455450.17
Todd 1943261.7
Wabasha 1182818
Morrison 946640
Pine 735691.19
Mahnomen 722588.48
Aitkin 689620.88
Washington 680789
Wright 603805.31
Winona 472220
Scott 410871.52
Otter Tail 384714.84
Kandiyohi 378273.28
Meeker 318997.39
Dakota 283639.8
Hubbard 265000.94
Anoka 246223
Jackson 200561.6
Clay 200522.72
Hennepin 198769
Stearns 144480
Le Sueur 127288.13
Itasca 126357.54
Cass 97449
Rice 85860.66
Carlton 75958.79
Lyon 75474.94
Yellow Medicine 75474.94
Dodge 73944.5
Renville 72395.54
Mower 71966.49
Carver 65664
Swift 59800
Goodhue 59393.27
Douglas 46361.52
Redwood 41853.6
Lake of the Woods 41427
Big Stone 35000
Lac qui Parle 29000
Chippewa 25500
Martin 23220.72
Sherburne 22482.03
Stevens 20000
Kittson 16375.07
Cottonwood 11292.4

 

Office of Broadband Update Oct 22: Task Force Meeting, Line Extension and BEAD updates

Posted on by
Reply

The Office of Broadband Development reports…

Broadband Matters: Office of Broadband Development Updates

  • Broadband Task Force, October meeting recap
  • Line Extension Connection Program update
  • BEAD updates
  • OBD in the news

Broadband Task Force, October meeting recap

The Broadband Task Force met on Wednesday October 15 in Clearwater, Minnesota at the TelCom Construction (TCC) Training Facility. The Task Force heard presentations from TCC leadership on their training programs and got hands on experience with equipment demonstrations. Thank you TCC for hosting and sharing their facility and expertise!

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

Line Extension Connection Program update

The Round 4 Line Extension bidding window opened, September 26, 2025.

OBD expects the round to have $3.5M in Capital Projects Fund (CPF) dollars available to grant. Information and resources on Line Extension are posted to the OBD Line Extension Connection Program webpage. OBD also expects to run a fifth round of Line Extension with state project funds.

While 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.

Questions on Line Extension can be sent to deed.broadband@state.mn.us or (651)-259-7610.

BEAD updates

As required by the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program, the Minnesota 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 as is necessary to ensure all BEAD eligible locations are served as defined by the policy notice. 

Updated and additional information will be posted to the OBD BEAD webpage.

OBD in the news

Pictured above: Moderator Kevin Sievert (Senior Manager, Broadband Funding) and panelists, Derrick Owens (Sr. VP of Government & Industry Affairs, WTA), Bree Maki (Executive Director, Minnesota Office of Broadband Development), and Marissa Mitrovich (VP, Public Policy FBA).

Earlier this week, OBD staff attended ConneXions 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. OBD’s Executive Director Bree Maki spoke on the panel, the State of Bead. The panel discussed how state offices and internet services providers have navigated the BEAD program’s changes, integrated the new rules into programs, and plan for completion.

Director Maki was also featured on season 6, episode 50 of the Connected Nation podcast, titled Connecting the Land of 10,000 Lakes. The episode, which covered connecting Minnesotans to broadband, can be streamed here.

Office of Broadband Development Updates Oct 8: Conferences. Line Extension and BEAD Updates

Posted on by
Reply

From the Office of Broadband Development…

Broadband Matters: Office of Broadband Development Updates

  • Broadband in the news
  • Line Extension Connection Program update
  • BEAD updates
  • Broadband Task Force, October meeting plans

Broadband in the news

OBD Executive Director, Bree Maki (pictured above) on the panel, The Future of Broadband Policy & BEAD Program Implementation at the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE) TechExpo25.

More mentions of BEAD in the news include Broadband Breakfast’s story on States race to meet federal broadband funding deadline and the Fierce Network’s States feel pressured to hurry up with new BEAD rules.

Bree Maki and OBD’s new Broadband Environmental and Land Use Coordinator, Megan Messerole, presented at the Minnesota Telecom Alliance 2025 Fall Conference. The event focused on key issues impacting the telecommunications industry, and Megan shared on her new role in working with internet service providers on navigating permitting processes for both state and federally funded broadband projects.

Line Extension Connection Program update

The Round 4 Line Extension bidding window opened, September 26, 2025.

OBD expects the round to have $3.5M in Capital Projects Fund (CPF) dollars available to grant. Information and resources on Line Extension are posted to the OBD Line Extension Connection Program webpage. OBD also expects to run a fifth round of Line Extension with state project funds.

While 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.

Questions on Line Extension can be sent to deed.broadband@state.mn.us or (651)-259-7610.

BEAD updates

As required by the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program, the Minnesota 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 as is necessary to ensure all BEAD eligible locations are served as defined by the policy notice.

Updated and additional information will be posted to the OBD BEAD webpage.

Broadband Task Force, October meeting plans

The Broadband Task Force will be meeting on Wednesday, October 15 from 10am-12:30pm in Clearwater, MN at a TelCom Construction Training Facility. This meeting will be held in-person and is open to anyone from the public to attend.

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

Office of Broadband Development Update Sep 24, 2025: BEAD mapping and Line Extension

Posted on by
Reply

From the Office of Broadband Development…

Broadband Matters: Office of Broadband Development Updates

  • Mapping + data updates for providers
  • BEAD updates
  • Line Extension Connection Program update
  • OBD in the field
  • Broadband Task Force, September meeting recap

Mapping + data updates for providers

Reminder for internet service providers!

The Office of Broadband Development, in partnership with our mapping vendor, Connected Nation, does perform a Fall update to the broadband coverage in Minnesota that is published on the interactive map at the end of the year. Because a busy construction season is wrapping up and we are planning to offer a fifth grant round of Line Extension at the new year, OBD wants to remind all providers that this data collection is the major mapping update for the Minnesota Broadband map. If you have completed construction of a broadband project since your last mapping data submission to Connected Nation in Fall 2024, please take this opportunity to have that updated coverage information included in this annual mapping update.

The deadline for submitting coverage information for this effort is Thursday October 2, 2025.

If you have questions about submitting coverage data, or didn’t receive outreach from Connected Nation, feel free to contact the Office of Broadband Development by email at deed.broadband@state.mn.us or by phone at (651)-259-7610.

BEAD updates

As required by the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program, the Minnesota 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.

On September 22, NTIA released for the first time in writing the following cost thresholds for the BEAD program. The percentile is based off of the cost estimate that NTIA has determined. Every state has different numbers based on NTIA’s decisions and Minnesota’s federally determined cost thresholds are as follows:

  • 65-85th percentile, $10,000 to $20,000 per BSL – provider needs additional explanation for cost
  • 85th to 85th plus 15%, $20,000 to $23,000 – possibility for extraordinary circumstances to be explained by provider and try to get price under $20,000
  • Over 85th plus 15% percentile, $23,000 – providers have 72 hours to renegotiate price

Updated and additional information will be posted to the OBD BEAD webpage.

Line Extension Connection Program update

After the location addresses were posted for review on September 15 and challenges are submitted by September 24, the Round 4 Line Extension bidding window will open September 26, 2025.

OBD expects the round to have $3.5M in Capital Projects Fund (CPF) dollars available to grant. Information and resources on Line Extension are posted to the OBD Line Extension Connection Program webpage. OBD also expects to run a fifth round of Line Extension with state project funds.

Questions on Line Extension can be sent to deed.broadband@state.mn.us or (651)-259-7610.

OBD in the field

Commissioner Ida Rukavina of the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB) and OBD Executive Director Bree Maki at the State of the Range event.

OBD has been busy attending events statewide like the Broadband Public Alliance meeting, Association of Minnesota Counties annual meeting, State of the Range (pictured above), and Minnesota Cable Association reception to provide updates on state broadband programs and BEAD in Minnesota.

Since August, OBD staff have gone on over 15 site visits for Mediacom, Savage Communications, Inc (SCI), Gardonville, Consolidated Telephone Company (CTC), Arvig, Acentek, Harmony/MiEnergy/MiBroadband, Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative (MLEC), East Central Energy (ECE), Johnson Telephone Company, Frontier, Benton Communications, Meeker, and Lismore projects.

Pictured below: Trucks hauling and installing main line fiber conduit at a Round 10 site visit for an Acentek project in Canton Township. 

Broadband Task Force, September meeting recap

The Broadband Task Force met on Monday September 22. The Task Force heard presentations from Communication Service for the Deaf on their programs and work for individuals in the deaf and hard of hearing community, and state speed goal updates from the Pew Charitable Trusts. Thank you to presenters for sharing their time and expertise!

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

Office of Broadband Development Updates: Upcoming events and BEAD & Line Extension updates

Posted on by
Reply

From the Office of Broadband Development…

Broadband Matters: Office of Broadband Development Updates

  • Broadband Task Force at August Farmfest
  • Restructured BEAD Round updates + upcoming information sessions
  • Line Extension Connection Program
  • Broadband events and news

Broadband Task Force at August Farmfest

The Broadband Task Force met at Minnesota Farmfest last week to discuss the important connection between broadband and agriculture. This meeting featured a panel discussion with Commissioner Thom Petersen (Department of Agriculture), Miles Kuschel (Board of Directors, District 6, Minnesota Farm Bureau), and Anne Schwagerl (Vice President, Minnesota Farmers Union) on topics around precision agriculture, AI in agriculture, and the future of broadband in agriculture in Minnesota.

A huge thank you to the panelists and attendees for sharing their time and expertise in discussing this important topic.

Restructured BEAD Round updates + upcoming information sessions

OBD is currently reviewing and deconflicting locations from the Restructured Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Round of subgrantee selection.

Next steps and additional resources to watch for on the OBD BEAD webpage include:

  • Registration now open for the Minnesota BEAD Final Proposal Virtual Information Session, Thursday August 28 at 11am CST, which will provide an overview of the Final Proposal, steps for public comment, and next steps for BEAD in Minnesota. This webinar will be recorded and posted to the OBD BEAD webpage.
  • The Minnesota BEAD Final Proposal will be posted to the OBD BEAD webpage for a 7-day public comment on Thursday August 28. The Final Proposal is due to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) by Friday September 4.
  • Coming soon: OBD will be announcing regional, in-person Final Proposal Information Sessions on the BEAD Final Proposal. These will be scheduled the first week in September, and open to anyone to attend with no registration required. When finalized, dates and logistics will be posted to the OBD BEAD webpage and shared in another email blast.

If you have questions on the webinars or in-person events, please reach out to deed.broadband@state.mn.us.  

The Minnesota Line Extension Connection Program aims to connect residents and businesses that lack access to wired broadband internet service with service providers and assist in the expense of extending broadband to those locations.

Owners of residential and business locations lacking a wired internet connection with access to actual speeds equal to or greater than 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload, can submit their address location for bid consideration by entering their information into the Line Extension Connection portal to initiate their interest in receiving broadband internet service. Applicants should complete every applicable question including providing additional comments that will help explain the critical need of broadband for the household/business, including any barriers. More information on how to submit an application via portal, phone, or mail is available on the OBD Line Extension Connection webpage.

Broadband events and news

The Minnesota Public Broadband Alliance, member of the American Association for Public Broadband, is offering a free event, What’s Next for Broadband in Minnesota on September 10 at 9am in New Prague, MN.

The even will host featured speakers, Gigi Sohn of the American Association of Public Broadband, Christopher Mitchel of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, and OBD’s Executive Director Bree Maki. More information on the event is available online and registration is open below:

Minnesota broadband was additionally featured:

  • Director Maki was also quoted in an August 6 Star Tribune article, on the impacts of the BEAD program on OBD’s work: “[Minnesota] had this big program that we really thought could maximize the state and federal efforts,” Maki said, “and the timing is just taking a little longer than anticipated.”

Office of Broadband Development Updates July 30, 2025: BEAD and Line Extension

Posted on by
Reply

From the Office of Broadband Development…

Broadband Matters: Office of Broadband Development Updates

  • Out and About in Greater MN
  • Restructured BEAD Round updates
  • Line Extension Connection Program
  • Remembering Senator Bruce Anderson’s impact on broadband

Out and About in Greater MN

Representative Nathan Nelson, ECE President/CEO Justin Jahnz, Senator Aric Putnam, and OBD Executive Director Bree Maki.

Along with staff from East Central Energy (ECE), officials from the Minnesota Legislature and the Minnesota Office of Broadband Development met in Pine City on July 17 to observe speed testing and review progress tied to state-funded broadband grants as part of the ongoing ECE Fiber broadband expansion project. Senator Aric Putnam, Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Broadband, and Rural Development, and Representative Nathan Nelson (District 11B) joined the site visit to better understand the progress of rural broadband deployment by electric cooperatives. The group observed performance testing and mapping verifications to ensure compliance with network speed and coverage requirements.

OBD staff have been busy with additional site visits across the state, and have seen updates on state Broadband Grant Programs and the Line Extension Connection Program through visits with: Access Networks, Midco, Garden Valley Technologies (GVT), Otter Tail Telcom, Savage Communications, Inc (SCI), Interstate Telecommunications Company (ITC), Bevcomm, Arvig, Federated Rural Elective Association, Southwest Minnesota Broadband, and KMTelecom.

Outside GVT office for annual site visits: GVT Chief Facilities Officer Jon Smith, GVT Chief Financial Officer Kristi Benson, OBD Staff Samantha Ernst, and GVT CEO/General Manager Tim Brinkman.

Restructured BEAD Round updates

Minnesota saw the close of it’s Restructured Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Round of subgrantee selection, which ran July 14 through July 24, 1:30pm CST. OBD has begun review and deconfliction of the submitted applications.

Updates as they are available will be posted to the OBD BEAD webpage, including a direct negotiation process for locations that did not secure bids and posting the Final Proposal for public comment (posted by August 28) in compliance with National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) guidelines.

Line Extension Connection Program

The Minnesota Line Extension Connection Program aims to connect residents and businesses that lack access to wired broadband internet service with service providers and assist in the expense of extending broadband to those locations.

Owners of residential and business locations lacking a wired internet connection with access to actual speeds equal to or greater than 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload, can submit their address location for bid consideration by entering their information into the Line Extension Connection portal to initiate their interest in receiving broadband internet service. Applicants should complete every applicable question including providing additional comments that will help explain the critical need of broadband for the household/business, including any barriers. More information on how to submit an application via portal, phone, or mail is available on the OBD Line Extension Connection webpage.

 

Remembering Senator Bruce Anderson’s impact on broadband

The Office of Broadband Development would like to extend gratitude to the late, Senator Bruce Anderson for his lifelong work in understanding and expanding broadband access for his constituents and across Minnesota. Reflection and recognition of Senator Anderson’s impact on key issues through his service on the Senate Agriculture, Broadband, and Rural Development Committee have been recognized by many, including an article published by Minnesota Public Radio.

Office of Broadband Development Updates: BEAD applications are open

Posted on by
Reply

From the Office of Broadband Development…

Broadband Matters: Office of Broadband Development Updates

  • Restructured BEAD Round, grantor portal OPEN
  • Broadband Task Force, August meeting plans
  • Minnesota featured, Bridging the Digital Divide; Planning Innovate State and Local Approaches
  • Line Extension Connection Program

Restructured BEAD Round, grantor portal OPEN

On July 8, 2025 NTIA approved Minnesota’s IP BEAD Correction Letter. This approval allowed OBD to move forward with the updated list of eligible locations (6/30/2025) and open the grantor portal on July 14 for prequalified applicants to submit applications for the Restructured BEAD Round, compliant with the updated changes to the NTIA’s June 6 Restructuring BEAD Policy Notice. The grantor portal will remain open through July 24, 1:30pm CST. 

Register today for the additional office hours session, scheduled Tuesday July 22 at 11am. This session will not be recorded and will be a time to answer questions on the BEAD application.

Access to and resources on the grantor portal are available on the OBD BEAD webpage, including: 

Broadband Task Force, August meeting plans 

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

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

Minnesota featured, Bridging the Digital Divide; Planning Innovate State and Local Approaches 

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development’s OBD, community partners, internet service providers, and broadband leaders across the state were featured in the newly published, Bridging the Digital Divide in the US Planning Innovative State and Local Approaches. The book presents a multi-level governance framework which explores how local leaders use policy opportunity and community resilience to address inequity in broadband infrastructure, and Chapter 4 presents “Minnesota – An Early Leader In Addressing Rural Broadband” by Y. Edward Guo, Elizabeth H. Redmond, and Mildred E. Warner.   

The book has been made available as an Open Access PDF or e-book and is available for free download.  

Line Extension Connection Program

The Minnesota Line Extension Connection Program aims to connect residents and businesses that lack access to wired broadband internet service with service providers and assist in the expense of extending broadband to those locations.

Owners of residential and business locations lacking a wired internet connection with access to actual speeds equal to or greater than 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload, can submit their address location for bid consideration by entering their information into the Line Extension Connection portal to initiate their interest in receiving broadband internet service. Applicants should complete every applicable question including providing additional comments that will help explain the critical need of broadband for the household/business, including any barriers. More information on how to submit an application via portal, phone, or mail is available on the OBD Line Extension Connection webpage.

Wright County tells community about MN Broadband Line Extension grants

Posted on by
Reply

Wright County reports…

Despite the expansion of access to high-speed internet throughout the country, there are still “dead spots” that are either unserved or underserved in the ability to have adequate download and upload speeds to have internet access or being able to stream video channels.

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development has a Broadband Line Extension Connection Program designed for individuals to submit applications for grants. The purpose of program is to award grants for the extension of existing broadband infrastructure to unserved locations, such as a handful of homes in low-density population areas.

Residential properties or businesses in locations that lack a wired internet connection to speeds at or above 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload can submit their address for consideration in the application process.

To learn more about the program and to submit an application for inclusion in the program, click here.

To test your upload and download speeds, take a speed test here: https://www.speedtest.net/

OBD Updates: BEAD, Line Extension and Future Office Hours

Posted on by
Reply

From the Office of Broadband Development…

Broadband Matters: Office of Broadband Development Updates

  • BEAD updates
  • Resources on federal BEAD changes
  • Broadband Task Force, June meeting recap
  • Line Extension Connection Program

BEAD updates 

On Friday June 6, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) released the BEAD Restructuring Policy Notice modifying elements of the BEAD program. Minnesota’s Office of Broadband Development is working with federal, state and local partners to understand how this impacts our state’s ability to empower Minnesotans through the implementation of the federal BEAD program in our state.

Information will continue to be posted and updated as needed on the OBD BEAD webpage.

Upcoming BEAD office hours from the OBD have been scheduled. These will be Tuesdays at 11 am, and will not be recorded unless otherwise noted.

Resources on federal BEAD changes 

Other news and resources on understanding the impacts of the June 6, BEAD Restructuring Policy Notice include:  

The views expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official stance of the Minnesota State Office of Broadband Development.  

Governor’s Task Force on Broadband, June meeting recap

The Broadband Task Force met virtually on Wednesday, June 11 at 10am. The Task Force heard a presentation from Neighborhood House’s Shabazz-Adasi Milton (Digital Navigator, American Connection Corps/Neighborhood House), Noah Nelsen, (Evening Adult Education Program Supervisor, Neighborhood House) and Nick Contreraz (Vice President of Programs, Neighborhood House) providing a background and overview of the work of their organization.

The Task Force will not be meeting in July, and information on the August meeting, as well as other past meetings, will be available on the Broadband Task Force webpage.

The Minnesota Line Extension Connection Program aims to connect residents and businesses that lack access to wired broadband internet service with service providers and assist in the expense of extending broadband to those locations.
Owners of residential and business locations lacking a wired internet connection with access to actual speeds equal to or greater than 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload, can submit their address location for bid consideration by entering their information into the Line Extension Connection portal to initiate their interest in receiving broadband internet service. More information on how to submit an application via portal, phone, or mail is available on the OBD Line Extension Connection webpage.

Arvig reports on reports on Line Extension grants and plans for broadband expansion

Posted on by
Reply

Arvig reports…

 More than 400 structures in rural Minnesota will soon have high-speed internet access as Arvig plans to invest recently awarded grants from the state’s Broadband Line Extension Connection Program in a last-mile fiber-to-the-home project.

Arvig was awarded grants totaling $3,303,607 from the Line Extension program after submitting successful lowest-cost bids to serve 406 locations.

The locations and number of structures served will be:

  • Rose Lake, Dodo Lake and Lake Elora, near Cotton: 139 structures
  • Buffalo Lake, north of Detroit Lakes: 96 structures
  • West of Rock Lake, north of Detroit Lakes: 43 structures
  • North of Lake Osakis: 32 structures
  • North of Long Prairie: 22 structures
  • South of Detroit Lakes: 14 structures
  • North of Browerville: 8 structures
  • Johnson Lake Lane, south of Detroit Lakes: 8 structures
  • North of Henning: 7 structures
  • West of Wood Lake: 6 structures
  • Hubble Pond, near Rochert: 6 structures
  • Northeast of Redwood Falls: 5 structures
  • Northwest of Detroit Lakes: East Oak Lake Drive: 5 structures
  • Klein Road, north of Detroit Lakes: 4 structures
  • South of Grand Meadow: 3 structures
  • East of Long Prairie: 2 structures
  • North of Sauk Centre: 2 structures
  • Park Rapids: 1 structure
  • Clements: 1 structure
  • Callaway: 1 structure
  • Rochert: 1 structure

Arvig will invest $394,000 to cover additional project costs, bringing the total project cost to $3,697,907. About 70 miles of fiber will be constructed, with all 21 locations combined. Work on the line extensions is set to begin in spring 2025, with construction targeted for completion by November 2025.

The program requires locations to be served with internet speeds of at least 100 Mbps download and 100 Mbps upload. Arvig expects to exceed that requirement, with plans to provide locations access to speeds of up to 1 Gig download and 100Mbps upload.

A location is considered unserved if it lacks access to a wired service with at least 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload speed.

Arvig to use Line Extension Grants to serve rural parts of Becker County

Posted on by
Reply

Detroit Lakes Online reports…

Arvig has been awarded grant funding from the Minnesota Office of Broadband Development’s Broadband Line Extension Connection Program to construct last-mile fiber network infrastructure for high-speed internet to 69 unserved locations, according to an Arvig news release.

Arvig was awarded grants totaling $543,244 from the program after submitting successful lowest-cost bids to provide fiber to the locations. Total project funding is $612,244, with Arvig investing $69,000 to cover additional project costs.

The 69 unserved locations consist of seven projects in these areas:

  • Rural Callaway along 260th Avenue
  • Along State Highway 210 east of Henning in Otter Tail County
  • Rural Rochert, including Cotton Lake and the west side of Height of Land Lake
  • Along U.S. Highway 59 and Tee Lake Road south of Detroit Lakes
  • Rural Frazee along 360th Avenue

Construction on some projects could begin as soon as May 2024, with work projected to finish by May 2025.

Second round of Line Extension awards announced

Posted on by
Reply

From the Office of Broadband Development…

The Office of Broadband Development announced the second round of Line Extension Connection Program awards on a rolling basis beginning March 29, 2024, and ending April 22, 2024. This second round of the program awarded $3,584,040.13 to expand wired broadband delivering at least 100 Mbps download and 100 Mbps upload, to 482 locations across 25 counties. Internet providers carrying out the projects matched $1,490,990.67 for a total investment of $5,075,030.80.

Provider Locations Grant Amount
Access Networks 15 $153,225.00
Arvig Tekstar 69 $543,244.99
Consolidated Tel Co (CTC) 147 $808,700.00
Farmers Mutual Tel Co. 1 $3,800.00
Federated REA 2 $8,169.72
Federated Telephone Coop 5 $58,200.00
Garden Valley Tel 17 $198,972.51
JTN 15 $68,398.23
Mediacom 25 $625,000.00
Meeker Vibrant 33 $202,423.82
Midco Midcontinent Comm. 136 $601,417.00
MLEC Mille Lacs Electric Coop 1 $17,946.00
Savage Communications (SCI) 10 $182,766.86
SE MN WIFI 2 $38,000.00
Sytek 4 $73,776.00
15 482 $3,584,040.13

Round 2 Line Extension Awards by County

County Locations
Aitkin 4
Anoka 17
Becker 55
Big Stone 1
Carver 9
Cass 2
Chippewa 1
Crow Wing 93
Dakota 17
Hennepin 27
Itasca 5
Kandiyohi 23
Mahnomen 17
Martin 2
Meeker 10
Morrison 7
Otter Tail 14
Pine 4
Scott 15
St. Louis 31
Stearns 16
Stevens 1
Swift 3
Todd 41
Washington 67
25 482

 

Updates From the Office of Broadband Development: Meeting and Line Extension Awards

Posted on by
Reply

From the Office of Broadband Development…

Office of Broadband Development’s April weekly webinar series, wrapping up

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

This final session will be Tuesday April 30th, 10-11:30am. In this training, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will cover information on the utility license application and process.

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

Governor’s Task Force on Broadband, April meeting recap

The Governor’s Broadband ask Force was hosted by the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa at the Black Bear Casino Resort on Thursday April 11th. Band leaders spoke on and shared experiences with Broadband funding and access, updates were shared on BEAD and Digital Opportunity, and the Task Force continued discussion on the current legislative session. Materials from the meeting are available on the Broadband Task Force webpage.

A special thank you to those who hosted and shared at the meeting: Kevin Dupuis, Chairman, Fond du Lac Band; Jason Hollinday, Planning Director, Fond du Lac Band; Caleb Dunlap, Communications Director, Fond du Lac Band; and Marcia Dupuis, Business Manager, Fond du Lac Band; and Task Force Member Brian Hood, Operations Manager, Fond du Lac Communications.

Border-to-Border and Low-Density applications due May 10th

With $30 million available for Border-to-Border (B2B) grants and the remaining $20 million for the Lower Population Density (Low-Density) grants, DEED opened the application window for the tenth grant round on March 12, 2024. Applications are due by 1:30 p.m. Central Time on May 10, 2024.

More information, including an updated Round 10 FAQ, can be found on OBD’s Broadband Grant Program webpage.

Line Extension Round Two Awards

OBD announced the second round of Line Extension Connection Program awards on a rolling basis beginning March 29, 2024, and ending April 22, 2024. The program awarded $3,584,040.13 to expand wired broadband service delivering at least 100 Mbps download and 100 Mbps upload, to 482 locations across 25 counties. Internet providers carrying out the projects matched $1,490,990.67 for a total investment of $5,075,030.80. Find more on the round two awards and the Line Extension program on the Line Extension webpage.