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UP TO SPEED: Rural broadband projects in Minnesota are set to meet the state’s goals for minimum upload and download internet speeds. More than $20 million has been awarded to provide high-speed access to communities in greater Minnesota.
Feb 11, 2021
Gov. Tim Walz announced that the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development will award grants totaling $20,645,425 to 39 projects under the state’s Border-to-Border Broadband Development Grant program.
State grant dollars are matched by $33,695,279 in local funds, for a total investment in broadband infrastructure. The projects will bring broadband access to 6,922 businesses, homes and community institutions. This is the sixth year for the program.
Gov. Walz Announces Latest Round of Broadband Grants
UNDATED Governor Tim Walz Thursday announced that the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) will award over $20 million in grants to develop access to high-speed internet service throughout greater Minnesota.
This year, the Border-to-Border Broadband Development Grant Program will fund 39 projects, including several in central Minnesota. The state’s funds will be matched by over $33.5 million in local funds for a total of over $54 million.
The funding, which was approved during the 2019 legislative sessions, goes to broadband providers to build out wireline broadband infrastructure to unserved and underserved locations across the state, and will provide nearly 7,000 homes and businesses with high-speed internet access.