ST. PAUL, Minn. – Following up on new funding from the Legislature, the state economic development agency opened an application period for $95 million to expand broadband. The application deadline to the Department of Employment and Economic Development is August 4. There also is $70 million available from the federal American Rescue Plan. Grants under the state’s Border-to-Border Broadband Infrastructure program can be as much as $5 million each to match independent, usually local funding. The long-term goal is to connect 240,000 homes and businesses that remain without broadband access.
Verbatim
Governor Tim Walz: “This historic level of broadband funding will increase opportunities for Minnesotans across the state. Now, more than ever, broadband is what connects Minnesotans to their education, jobs and the rest of the world.”