ALBERT LEA, MN—Representative Peggy Bennett, R-Albert Lea, issued the following statement regarding today's announcement from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) that BEVCOMM Cannon Valley Telecom in Freeborn County is one of 15 Greater Minnesota entities to receive a state grant to expand broadband access.
According to a press release from DEED, the $149,625 grant will expand broadband infrastructure in rural Freeborn County, bringing high speed internet to 43 homes and one business, and boosting economic development, specifically for crop and livestock production which will help with "bin monitoring systems, livestock feed and environmental monitoring, security, video surveillance, and energy management."
Bennett wrote a letter of recommendation in August (click here to view), and cited improved access to medical resources and education as other benefits of the proposed broadband project.
"Bringing broadband to unserved and underserved rural areas is a big economic development tool for Greater Minnesota cities and towns," Bennett said. "Thanks to state and federal funding, more money than ever will be coming to Minnesota to connect rural areas with high-speed internet access. I'm glad to see Freeborn County take advantage of the grant program, and hope we can build on our investments in broadband next session."
The legislature approved $11 million in broadband grants during the 2015 legislative session. The grants were announced at Friday's Blandin Foundation "Border to Border Broadband: Better Together" Conference which took place in Minneapolis.
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