ST. PAUL — Rep. Peggy Bennett, R-Albert Lea, is encouraging cities, counties, businesses, non-profits and other eligible applicants to consider applying for a grant to continue the expansion of Minnesota’s broadband infrastructure. Applications must be received by 4 p.m. on Sept. 15, 2015. The grants are available as a part of $10.58 million for the Border-to-Border Broadband Development Grant Program that was approved by the legislature and signed into law by Gov. 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.

According to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development website, 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. These grants are a great way to continue to connect parts of the state with the high-speed internet access they need in their homes, schools, and businesses,” Bennett said.

“Reliable internet is so key for our schools and for students so they can harness the power of the internet to boost learning and achievement. Businesses also need access in order to compete with those in the Metro area and other parts of the state, and gives more options and flexibility to employees who can telecommute or work from home. I will continue pushing for more broadband expansion next session so we can bring this critical economic development tool to more parts of the state.”

Full details and application materials can be found on the DEED website.

Bennett encouraged anyone with questions, or anyone who would like assistance with their application or a letter of support to contact her office at 651-296-8216 or email rep.peggy.bennett@house.mn.