ST. PAUL – State Rep. Matt Bliss, R-Pennington, issued the following statement regarding today’s announcement from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development that TDS Telecom in Cass and Crow Wing counties is receiving one of 71 Greater Minnesota grants to expand broadband access.
According to a press release from DEED, the $3 million grant will benefit 3,459 unserved households, 62 unserved businesses and four community anchor institutions in Cass and Crow Wing. This includes Backus, Hackensack, Ideal Corners, Pequot Lakes, Pine River and Woman Lake. TDS Telecom (Arvig Telephone Co.) will provide improved services for 142 small enterprises that do not have access to high-speed internet. The total eligible project cost is $6 million, with a $3 million local match.
“As someone who works in the field of technology management, I have seen firsthand how shoddy connections have left many parts of the state at a real disadvantage, including some black holes in our region,” Bliss said. “This significant investment will help level the field in what really has become a web-based society. The benefits will be significant for families, students and businesses throughout our area. Hats off to the people who made this successful grant application.”
Approximately $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 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 biennium. When combined with federal CAF II funds, Minnesota will see more than $100 million in broadband expansion this year alone.
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