State to Receive $652 Million to Expand Broadband Internet Access

(KNSI) — Minnesota will receive hundreds of millions of dollars from the federal government to secure residential and business access to high speed broadband internet.

The state will get $652 million on top of the $100 million already put in place by the 2023 state legislative session to connect 33,000 homes in 48 counties and fund 61 expansion projects.

The new federal funding, created by the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, will go toward broadband infrastructure deployment grants administered by the Department of Employment and Economic Development’s Office of Broadband Development.

“Broadband is an economic and societal imperative,” said DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek. “Widely available broadband will help more Minnesotans find a good job or launch a business regardless of geography. Today’s announcement is a boon for Greater Minnesota and anywhere Minnesotans struggle to connect to high-speed broadband.”

The state aims to offer high-speed broadband to all homes and businesses in the state by 2026.

The allocation is based partly on new mapping, broadband providers, stakeholders, and citizens, illustrating the need for broadband expansion across Minnesota.

Federal officials are expected to release more broadband funding to states early next year.

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