ST. PAUL – Rep. Jim Knoblach, R-St. Cloud, issued the following statement regarding Tuesday’s announcement from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development of 39 broadband grants totaling more than $26 million to bring broadband access to unserved and underserved parts of the state. Some grants leveraged funding from the Connect America Funding the federal government, helping stretch funding from the state.
According to a press release from DEED, $110,661 will be provided to improve internet access in the St. Cloud Regional Airport area. The grant is being matched by private funding.
“As much progress as we have made in developing our internet infrastructure, certain pockets are still lacking service and this grant will help eliminate a hole around the airport,” Knoblach said. “This project fits the mold the Legislature envisioned in appropriating broadband grant funding, so it is good to see a local group was successful in its request.”
The Republican-led Legislature approved $20 million in grants for the Border-to-Border Broadband program during the 2017 legislative session.
-30-