Provide equal internet access across Minnesota.

 

The purpose of this bill is to increase the coverage of basic broadband internet so that more Minnesotans will have

quality access to the internet through wifi. Many places in rural Minnesota struggle with the lack of basic broadband

internet which can make wifi either non-existent or extremely weak. The state of Minnesota would create a program to

fund and carry out the installation of the broadband cables. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic

Development will be a great partner to help employ people to actually do the labor required. Everyone within the

expansion of the broadband cables will be positively affected with increased internet capabilities.

 

 

This bill is a necessity for Minnesota’s technological and economical future. Aiming to expand the range of broadband

internet cables across rural areas that normally do not get strong wifi, if any. The expansion of broadband internet

cables across the rural areas of the state will solve the many issues caused in rural areas due to the lack of cable

range, such as weaker online communication and slower software. Increasing the range of the broadband cables to rural

areas will also prepare Minnesota better for the increasing technological growth in the near future.

 

 

Broadband internet is defined by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as a service with at least 100 Mbps

download speed and 20 Mbps upload speed.

A global computer network providing a variety of information and communication facilities, consisting of interconnected

networks using standardized communication protocols.

Rural is defined as any population or territory located outside of an urban area.

 

 

The state of Minnesota would fund and carry out the installation of the broadband cables. The Minnesota Department of

Employment and Economic Development could aid in financial support as well as providing workers to actually do the

project. The state of Minnesota already has 50 million dollars from recent grant rounds, which will open many doors for

this bill to function very well. As well as the already existing grant funding, there will be a one-time bonding fund

that can be taken out by the state like a loan to help pay for the entire project, and will be paid back effectively

over time.

 

 

DEED will be in charge of annual reviews of grant receipts

Any entity that does not meet the standards of the project, such as meeting broadband speed quality, improper use of

funding, or lying about progress reports, will be subject to mandatory repayment of unpaid or misused funding.

DEED will also monitor progress. If progress is not met for a period of time DEED may issue a corrective plan to help

fix the issue, and if progress is not met multiple times without reasonable cause fines may be enforced.

 

 

The bill will take effect on January 1st 2027.