Gov. Tim Walz on Wednesday announced $52 million in grants aimed at expanding broadband access to approximately 7,700 homes and businesses across Minnesota.

“Investing in broadband helps businesses and communities throughout the state,” Walz said in a statement. “By connecting thousands of Minnesotans to essential services like education and health care, we’re making Minnesota a great place to live and work.”

In March, Walz announced more than $50 million to improve broadband access for around 8,900 homes and businesses. He also signed legislation in May 2023 allocating $100 million for broadband grants over the next two years.

“Broadband is crucial for Minnesota’s economy, providing more options for where to work and live,” Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Matt Varilek said in a statement. “It supports community efforts to attract and expand businesses and helps existing companies by offering the benefits of high-speed internet.”

The grants support broadband providers in already existing efforts to expand high-speed internet service in 24 counties. The funding comes from two DEED programs:

·$25 million from the Border-to-Border Broadband Program, which reimburses providers for up to half the costs of building broadband infrastructure, with a cap of $10 million per project

·$27 million from the Low Population Density Program, which helps providers serve areas with low populations and high costs, covering as much as 75% of project costs

So far, DEED has provided broadband access to nearly 120,000 homes and businesses with the help of Minnesota state funds and funds from the Biden-Harris Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

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