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Minnesota Border-to-Border Broadband grants fund 39 projects

More than $25 million dollars is being invested in rural broadband infrastructure to improve internet access across Greater Minnesota.

Lt. Governor Tina Smith says a combination of funds from the 2017 legislative session and carryover from previous grant rounds will be used for 39 Border-to-Border Broadband projects.

Smith contends it’s not fair 20 percent of Greater Minnesota households don’t have the same high-speed internet connections as their friends and families in the Cities, saying the grants level the playing field but more must be done.

The 2017 grant recipients represent all technologies eligible for the funding, including fiber optic, cable, fixed wireless, and DSL.

Through the program, nearly 10,000 homes, 2,100 businesses, and 60 community institutions will receive access to reliable and affordable high-speed internet.