OUR 2025 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
Ensure that all Greater Minnesota communities have appropriate broadband.
- Monitor the implementation of federal BEAD funds and key state programs, including the Low Population Density Grant Program, and any related policy changes.
STATE FUNDING FOR BROADBAND
After aggressive advocacy by the GMNP, the Legislature created the Border-to-Border Broadband Development Grant program in 2014. This program provides a 50% match to communities, co-ops, nonprofits or private providers who wish to expand broadband in “unserved” (no broadband service) or “underserved” (poor service) areas. Since its creation, the program has received over $300 million in state funding, including $100 million in 2024-2025.
In the 2023 legislative session, GMNP advocated for programs and changes intended to address gaps in broadband funding, including the pilot Lower Population Density Grant Program to allow the state to match up to 75% of the cost of projects, the creation of the Broadband Line Extension Connection Program, and modification of the existing Border-to-Border Grant Program to increase the maximum award from $5 million to $10 million.
FEDERAL FUNDING FOR BROADBAND
The Federal government is making approximately $65 billion available for broadband nationwide through Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) funding and Digital Equity Funding. Minnesota will receive a formula-based allocation from each program and was required to develop a plan for spending the funds.
Minnesota's BEAD allocation is $651,839,368. The state legislature has directed that all BEAD funds will flow through the existing Border-to-Border program. The federal BEAD program requires that state spending proposals must address the following priorities:
- Service to all unserved locations. Unserved locations are those identified on FCC maps as not having broadband service at speeds of at least 25Mbps download/3Mbps upload from service provided over a wired connection or licensed fixed wireless.
- Service to all underserved locations. Underserved locations are those identified on FCC maps as having broadband services at speeds of at least 25Mbps download/3Mbps upload but less than 100Mbps download/20Mbps upload over a wired or licensed fixed wireless service.
- Gigabit symmetrical service to Community Anchor Institutions.
If a state can demonstrate that it has allocated sufficient funding to achieve all three priorities, then it may use BEAD funding for other projects. Minnesota's Office of Broadband Development estimates that all BEAD funding currently available will be needed to address the first two priorities.
LATEST UPDATES
DEED announces prequalification process for $652 million in federal broadband funding
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced that the agency’s proposed map of eligible locations to receive high-speed broadband through the federal Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) funding allocation has been formally accepted by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Nearly 89,000 locations that are unserved or underserved could receive high-speed…
MoreGMNP announces 2025 policy priorities
The GMNP 2025 legislative platform renews the Partnership’s focus on ensuring Greater Minnesota communities and businesses have the resources they need to thrive. In 2025, the GMNP will work to secure funding for critical housing, workforce development, child care, and broadband programs, and push for a bonding bill that meets infrastructure needs throughout the state.…
MoreDEED announces $52 million in broadband funding awards
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced on Wednesday the recipients of $52 million in grant awards to help expand broadband service to nearly 8,000 Minnesota homes and businesses in 24 counties throughout the state. The grants come from two DEED programs: $25 million from DEED’s flagship Border-to-Border Broadband Program, which reimburses…
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