MN House panel OKs bill to extend broadband access

About 240,000 mostly rural Minnesota households lack speedy internet access, according to the state Office of Broadband Development. 

A bill to help change that was unanimously passed by a House Committee this week. 

Republican Rep. Jordan Rasmusson of Fergus Falls sponsors the measure that would establish a broadband line extension grant program connecting those customers — and assisting in the expense. 

According to Rasmusson, grants could not exceed $25,000 per individual line extension project.

Rasumsson says now is the time to make the effort, since the state has access to $180 million in “ARPA” funds, and $70 million in state money appropriated to broadband development. 

The bill was sent to the House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee. 

Sen. Mark Johnson of East Grand Forks sponsors a companion bill awaiting action on a Senate committee. 

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