ST. PAUL – Rep. Paul Anderson, R-Starbuck, said he supports a series of proposals House Republicans unveiled on Wednesday that would increase high-speed Internet access throughout Minnesota, particularly in underserved regions of Greater Minnesota.
The proposals total $35 million, including $7 million dedicated to improving broadband access for Minnesota students through new grant programs.
"People in many parts of the state, including some in our area, currently do not have the same quality of Internet service that others enjoy as routine," Anderson said. "That puts us at a disadvantage in a world that is heavily geared toward online functions. Students, local governments, businesses and families in general would benefit from this package."
Of the $7 million for broadband funding in the supplemental education proposal, $5 million would be used as grants for broadband Wi-Fi hotspots, while $2 million would be allocated to build broadband capacity. Inner city, suburban, and rural districts could use the grants to purchase mobile hotspots for student use or provide Wi-Fi hotspots to adult education classes and displaced workers.
School districts statewide could receive up to $100,000 for equipment and operating costs to improve broadband connectivity.
Along with broadband education funding, the House Republican proposal features an additional $28 million for rural broadband expansion. Combined with federal Connect America Funds, Minnesotans would see a historic broadband infrastructure investment. The funding focuses on unserved and underserved areas, as well as areas with larger numbers of low-income households.
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