ST. PAUL, 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 Freeborn County is one of the Greater Minnesota communities to receive a state grant to expand broadband access.
According to a press release from DEED, the $150,000 grant will expand broadband infrastructure in Freeborn County, bringing broadband access to 10 unserved households and nine underserved households.
“Our students, small businesses, and others need high-speed internet to keep pace with the metro area,” said Bennett. “This grant builds on the recent broadband investment in Greater Minnesota, and provides help for more homes to bridge the technological divide.”
Thanks to GOP-led efforts, $32 million of the $35 million in grants were targeted toward unserved areas of the state—ensuring that broadband grants are going to the communities that need it most. Additionally, because of policy reforms to the program, the Minnesota State Broadband fund leveraged Connect America Fund Phase II (CAF II) federal broadband funding to amplify connectivity into rural areas of the state. In total, Minnesota is expected to see half a billion dollars in combined state and federal broadband funding between 2015 and 2021.
The legislature approved a total of $45 million in broadband grants during the 2015 and 2016 legislative session. When combined with federal CAF II funds, Minnesota will see more than $100 million in broadband expansion this year alone.
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