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A S S O C I A T I O N O F M N C O U N T I E S
A G R I C U L T U R E A N D R U R A L D E V E L O P M E N T
A D V I S O R Y C O M M I T T E E M E E T I N G
S E P T E M B E R 2 7 , 2 0 1 2
Governor’s Broadband Task Force Update
Introduction and background
One of 15 members of the taskforce representing public and private points of view
Rural
Started work on rural internet access in 1994!
Member of the AMC Futures Task Force
Blandin Broadband Strategy Board since 2005
Appointed to task force in 2011 until 2015
2011/2012 Humphrey Public Policy Fellow
Represent counties, particularly rural
What is the Job of the Task Force?
Assist the State in meeting statutory broadband goals:
Border to border highspeed broadband
Top 5 states for fastest speeds available
Top 5 states for universal access
Rank comparable to top 15 countries for application and use
Develop policy recommendations that promote universal cell-phone coverage.
Work to-date by current Task Force
Getting organized – Working groups include:
Meetings and Outreach
Coordination Across Government Levels
Best Practices and Incentives
State of Broadband – Survey, Research, Data
Monitor/Understand FCC & PUC Decisions ; Cost of Broadband
Mobile issues
Reviewing research from previous task forces
Monitor and research what is happening nationally
Laying the ground work for policy and action work in 2013
Status Report & Policy Recommendations
Review ROW/Permitting mindsets at state, county, and municipality levels for opportunities to entice service into unserved areas.
Applications and Use of Broadband – How are we leveraging the broadband we already have?
Digital Literacy and Accessibility –How are we closing the gaps?
Incentives
Incentives
Funding for public schools and libraries for computers and internet access.
Scholarships for broadband to students who meet federal poverty guidelines
Redefine existing Education Tax Credit to include broadband services Tax credits or grants to providers for building to unserved areas. Sales tax exemptions for equipment and cable for broadband
deployments. Coordinate highway construction projects and the installation of conduit
to save on costs of building back-haul to unserved areas. Build a database that allows those constructing broadband lines to know
when other projects are being done and facilitate shared construction costs.
Provide incentives for rural telehealth collaborations. Distribution of free or discounted computers to disadvantaged K-12
students. Support digital literacy programs.
Coverage Map
What is the view from where you sit?
Are you one of the counties identified as least served? Are you doing something about it?
Are you one of the 63 counties where less than 50% of your households do not have access to service at a level necessary to run the next generation of health, education, and government services?
Do you feel you have what you need to advocate for your community?
Where are your gaps?
What could the task force or others do to support the counties?
For more information
Opportunities to learn more and provide input:
State Broadband Conference – Nov. 13-14, Duluth
Blandin Community Broadband Program – Up to $100,000 in support for community broadband activities.
Sessions at December annual conference
Check the Connect Minnesota maps at http://connectmn.orgfor your county. Do you agree with their assessment?
Have you responded to the Task Force/Connect Minnesota county broadband survey ? (I have copies)
Provide formal feedback on the task force publications.
Closing
Thank you!
For more information, contact:
Danna MacKenzie, IT Director, Cook County
218-387-3662
