Minnesota Senate approves $20 million in grants for rural broadband

As many Minnesotans are forced to work and learn from home during the coronavirus pandemic, the state Senate on Monday, May 4, unanimously voted to create a $20 million grant program to expand rural broadband access.

Out of a $20 million pot -- most or all of which legislators hope to see covered by federal coronavirus relief dollars -- half will be devoted to building broadband infrastructure to homes and communities that have no access to high speed internet. Another $8 million will go toward distance learning grants for schools, and $2 million toward building telemedicine infrastructure -- particularly in rural hospitals that don't currently have such resources available.

Click here to read full article from the Duluth News Tribune.