ST. PAUL — Rep. Paul Anderson, R-Starbuck, encourages area cities, counties, businesses, non-profits, and other eligible applicants to apply for a grant to continue the expansion of Minnesota's broadband infrastructure.
The grants are available as a part of a $10.58 million Border-to-Border Broadband Development Grant Program approved by the Legislature and enacted this year. Applications must be submitted by Sept. 15.
Eligible applicants include incorporated businesses or partnerships, political subdivisions, Indian tribes, Minnesota non-profits, cooperative associations and limited liability corporations. Broadband projects must be located in unserved or underserved areas.
"Some of the smaller towns in our area are at a disadvantage in terms of fast, reliable Internet connections," Anderson said. "This especially puts local businesses at a disadvantage as they work to compete in national and international economies. There was one grant through this program awarded in the Sauk Centre area last year and it would be nice to see additional successful applications from our area this time."
Full details regarding program qualifications and application materials can be found by visiting the Minnesota Dept. of Employment and Economic Development website (www.mn.gov/deed) and entering "broadband grant" in the home page's search field.
Anyone in need of assistance, including a letter of support for their application, can call Anderson at 651-296-4317 or email rep.paul.anderson@house.mn.
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