ST. PAUL, MN—Representative Jim Newberger, R-Becker, issued the following statement regarding today's announcement from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) that Benton County was among the Greater Minnesota communities to receive a state grant to expand broadband access.
According to a press release from DEED, the sum total of $1,011,330 in grants was provided to branches of Benton Cooperative Telephone Co, and will expand broadband infrastructure in Benton County, bringing broadband access to 589 households, 59 unserved businesses, as well as improving business development, health care and educational opportunities in the community.
“Broadband has been an important issue for rural communities around the state for quite a while, and I am proud that the Minnesota Boarder-to-Boarder Broadband Grant Program has been so successful in getting funding to the communities who need it most,” said Newberger. “I look forward to seeing the positive impact of these grants in our community for year to come.”
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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