By John Holler
Wright County Communications Specialist
On Wednesday, Oct. 9, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) conducted a press conference to announce the 10th round of Border-to-Border grants in Minnesota totaling $50 million in a location that seemed appropriate – next to a lake and a farm field in Southside Township outside of Annandale where fiber is currently being installed.
Rural homes and businesses have been the most impacted by lack of high-speed broadband – whether it be families or family farms and agribusinesses. Minnesota DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek said that not having an available broadband connection deprives many rural Minnesotans from having a level playing field in what is seen as a basic necessity in the internet era.
“On the issue of broadband, it has to be said that it is a critical piece of modern infrastructure,” Varilek said. “You can’t participate fully in modern civic life, you can’t participate in commerce, you can’t participate in education – all the things many of us take for granted – if you don’t have access to affordable, fast broadband. It’s personal for all of us.”