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RELEASE: WEBINAR SCHEDULED FOR BROADBAND GRANT PROGRAM

Thursday, June 22, 2017

ST. PAUL, MN – Rep. Barb Haley (R-Red Wing) is urging local organizations and individuals interested in applying for Border-to-Border Broadband Development Grant funding to attend upcoming informational webinars to learn more about the application process and the program itself.

The Minnesota Office of Broadband Development will host a series of webinar sessions on July 7, July 10 and July 12. Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions for joining the meeting.

“It’s important that our district be active during the application process.” Haley said. “Improved access to broadband will help keep southeast Minnesota communities competitive and ensure that our farmers, businesses, and students can benefit from this technology.”  

The first hour of each webinar will cover the grant program and application process details. The second hour will be available for any additional questions from participants.

An additional $20 million was provided for the broadband grant program through a jobs and energy finance package that was enacted into law last month. This is in addition to the $45 million in broadband grants that have already been awarded during the past 2015-16 legislative state budget period. When combined with federal Connect American Funds (CAF II), rural Minnesota will see over $100 million in broadband expansion this year alone.

More information also is available at the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development’s website. Visit www.mn.gov/deed and search for the keywords “broadband grant.” People also may call (651) 259-7610 or email deed.broadband@state.mn.us for details or assistance with webinar registration.

The deadline for submitting this round of grant applications is 4:00 PM, September 11th. Prospective applicants must contact wireline broadband providers in their proposed project area by July 31st to comply with the pre-application notification portion of the application process (or six weeks before filing an application, if filing before September 11th).

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