Rep. Kresha Celebrates Statewide Broadband Success
St. Paul, MN – After years of tirelessly advocating for broadband funding and access across Minnesota, Representative Ron Kresha (R-Little Falls) is celebrating the $100 million investment to expand broadband.
“Finally, after years of trying to get broadband to every corner of Minnesota, we are seeing results,” Kresha said. “Broadband access ensures our children have access to a quality 21st Century education and will be prepared to compete in a global workforce.”
The $100 million investment comes after an announcement from Governor Walz, which will equip internet service providers with the funds needed to improve broadband access in Minnesota.
“In the past three years, we have seen the ever-growing need for families to have quality broadband access. For years, I have been sounding the alarm and now we can move forward in making Minnesota a competitive state in education and economic opportunities,” Kresha said.
The money for broadband comes from $99.6 million in Border-to-Border Broadband program grants. The program is administered by the Department of Employment and Economic Development’s Office of Broadband Development.
The project creates 61 projects across the state, including:
- Crow Wing County, $343,552.00 for Tri-Co Technologies, LLC dba Crosslake Communications.
- Aitkin County, $1,231,818.00 for Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative.
- Aitkin, Itasca, St. Louis counties, $3,052,120 for Paul Bunyan Communications.
- Mille Lacs County, $1,118,289.16 for Benton Cooperative Telephone Company, and $476,108 for Savage Communications Inc., a combined $1,594,397.16.
More information on the project and funding can be found on DEED’s website.