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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.
BROADBAND GRANTS AWARDED
Governor Tim Walz announced that the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) will award grants totaling $20,645,425 to 39 projects in the sixth year of the 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 of $54,340,704.
“The pandemic this past year has made it crystal clear that fast, reliable broadband access is critical for people living in Greater Minnesota – for everything from education and health care to business operations and telecommuting,” said Governor Walz. “These grants continue this vitally important work toward our goal of ensuring that every Minnesotan has high-speed internet access by 2022.”