Minnesota’s Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) recently announced grants totaling $34 million for 42 broadband infrastructure projects that will provide high-speed internet access for 16,627 households, 2,240 businesses and 71 community institutions across greater Minnesota.

“This expansion of broadband will level the playing field and expand education, health and job opportunities for thousands of Minnesotans,” says Lt. Gov. Tina Smith. “It’s not fair when almost 20% of greater Minnesota households don’t have access to opportunity because they don’t have the same broadband connections as their friends and family in the cities.”

The state has been helping to alleviate the technology disparity with its Border-to-Border Broadband Development Program, which provides grants to internet providers to expand broadband service to areas of Minnesota that are unserved or underserved. The funding pays for up to 50% of the cost of developing broadband for improved high-speed internet in communities across the state.

Examples of grant investment include:

• $4.94 million for 1,439 unserved households, 149 unserved businesses and four community anchor institutions in the New London, Spicer and Willmar areas. Consolidated Telecommunications Co. will improve broadband service to advance community and economic development.
• $2.03 million for 330 unserved households, 23 unserved businesses and two community anchor institutions in rural Thief River Falls. Garden Valley Telephone will upgrade broadband services.
• $296,665 for 51 unserved households in Kertsonville and Onstad townships in Polk County. Halstad Telephone Co. will improve service levels that benefit farmers, home businesses and residents.
• $200,397 for 14 unserved households and 32 unserved businesses in Lake Hanska Township in Brown County, and Riverdale Township in Watonwan County. New Ulm Telephone will improve service levels in an area populated with farms and home-based businesses.
•  $807,966 in Renville County for 193 unserved households, 99 unserved businesses and three community anchor institutions in portions of Preston Lake, Boon Lake, Brookfield, Osceola, Kingman, Winfield, Crooks, Erickson, Sacred Heart (north), Emmet, Flora, Henryville, Norfolk, Birch Cooley, Camp and Cairo townships in Renville County. Hiawatha Broadband Communications and RS Fiber will provide improved services that officials hope will stimulate business and population growth.
• $27,998 for 15 households and 20 unserved businesses near Morgan. Arvig–Redwood Telephone will improve service levels to this rural area, which is home to Minnesota’s annual FarmFest and relies on quality broadband service for precision agriculture applications, and to monitor crops and livestock.
•  $2.94 million for 469 unserved households, 1,060 unserved businesses and six unserved community anchor institutions in Nobles County. Lismore Cooperative and other partners will provide services that improve opportunities for health care, education and telecommuting.
•  $412,391 for 368 unserved households, 29 unserved businesses and seven unserved community anchor institutions in Westbrook in Cottonwood County. Woodstock Telephone will improve services that encourage business growth and offer more access to health care, education and telecommuting opportunities.
• $1.32 million for 491 unserved households and 118 unserved businesses in an area from Thief River to Roseau. CenturyLink will provide improved services that will encourage business development and increase access to education and health care in the region.

Source: DEED