Thursday, August 20, 2015

Broadband Infrastructure Grant Deadline September 15

During the 2015 special session, the legislature included $10,588,000 in funds for the Border-to-Border Broadband Infrastructure grant program. 


The application period is now open to apply for these grants to expand broadband service in unserved and underserved regions throughout Minnesota. The grants can provide up to 50 percent of project development costs. The maximum grant amount is $5 million. The deadline for applying is September 15.
Expressions of Interest: If you have reviewed the application information and concluded that you aren’t able to apply in the 2015 grant round—please let DEED know of your interest by filling out the Expression of Interest in Support of Minnesota Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program form. They have data on the number of unserved households but YOU can help them document the demand for broadband in unserved and underserved areas to support continuation of the broadband infrastructure grant program!
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Broadband and Precision Ag

Agriculture is an important industry in northwest Minnesota. The broadband needs of the Ag sector are critical. This short video, recorded at a recent meeting in Willmar with Senator Amy Klobuchar, highlights the Ag sector's growing need.

Senator Klobuchar Talks About Funding Broadband

Senator Klobuchar has been working on the issue of rural broadband. At a recent meeting in Willmar, she talked about developments that she and Senator Thune have been working on. The solution they are working on involves getting more money out of the Universal Service Fund to support broadband, without hurting local service providers.


Frontier Communications Discusses Broadband Issues

Senator Amy Klobuchar recently visited Wilmar Minnesota to discuss rural broadband issues. In this video, Frontier Communications highlighted some of the issues surrounding serving high-cost rural areas.