REP. HANCOCK ENCOURAGES APPLICATIONS FOR BROADBAND GRANTS

ST. PAUL – State Representative Dave Hancock (R-Bemidji) said broadband grant applications are now available for cities, counties, businesses, non-profits, and others who seek to continue the expansion of Minnesota's broadband infrastructure.

"Reliable broadband access is critical to the livelihood of northern Minnesota communities, residents, and business owners," Hancock said. "I encourage interested parties to apply for these grants and offer my assistance as they begin the application process."

Hancock said the grants are available as a part of a $10.58 million Border-to-Border Broadband Development Grant Program approved by the legislature and signed into law by Governor Dayton in June.

Eligible applicants include incorporated businesses or partnerships, political subdivisions, Indian tribes, Minnesota non-profits, cooperative associations and limited liability corporations. Broadband projects must be located in unserved or underserved areas.

Minnesota's Department of Employment and Economic Development says an unserved area "is an area of Minnesota in which households or businesses lack access to wire-line broadband service at speeds that meet the FCC threshold of 25 megabits per second download and 3 megabits per second upload." An underserved area "is an area of Minnesota in which households or businesses do receive service above the FCC threshold but lack access to wire-line broadband service at speeds that meet the state broadband goals of ten to 20 megabits per second download and five to ten megabits per second upload."

Applications must be received by 4:00PM on September 15, 2015. Full details and application materials can be found on the DEED website at http://mn.gov/deed/programs-services/broadband/grant-program/.

Rep. Hancock urged potential applicants to contact his office if they had questions about the broadband program or wanted a letter of support for their application. He can be reached by phone at 651-296-4265 or by email at rep.dave.hancock@house.mn.