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Poston congratulates local broadband grant recipients

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

 

ST. PAUL – Rep. John Poston, R-Lake Shore, 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 from the federal government, helping stretch funding from the state.

According to a press release from DEED, two area projects will receive grant funding: $902,695 to bring access to 215 unserved households and businesses in Staples Township and Villard Township, and $874,581 to connect 202 unserved households and businesses in Compton Township in Otter Tail County, Wadena Township in Wadena County and Stowe Prairie Township in Todd County.

“It is no secret parts of our region have been left behind in terms of reliable internet access,” Poston said. “These grants will help patch up some areas that have been lacking service so that families and businesses can finally have access to the connections people in other parts of the state take for granted these days. Hats off to those who were successful in earning these grants.”

The Republican-led Legislature approved $20 million in grants for the Border-to-Border Broadband program during the 2017 legislative session.

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