Governor Mark Dayton has issued Executive Order 11-27, establishing the Governor's Task Force on Broadband.
We applaud this effort to strengthen infrastructure throughout the state, especially in rural Minnesota. Limited broadband access continues to be a concern in lakes country, especially to home-based businesses that need broadband in order to thrive. It's also needed for students to achieve.
The task force will be charged with expanding broadband access in Minnesota. Dayton's stated goal is "border-to-border" high-speed Internet and cell phone access throughout Minnesota.
Governor Dayton also directed the Minnesota Department of Commerce to create a Broadband Development Office and convene a subcabinet of agencies to work on statewide broadband policies.
"Our state's history of economic success has shown us how vital a solid infrastructure is to building a strong business climate. Broadband access is an important part of that 21st century infrastructure," Governor Mark Dayton said in a news release. "Broadband accessibility is an issue that is critical to growing our state's economy - particularly in Greater Minnesota. As long as there are inequities in access to broadband in Minnesota, we will see those same inequities reflected in our schools, hospitals, and businesses."
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We are hopeful that this task force can be productive and come up with solutions to the disparities in access throughout the state.
The task force will be made up of 15 members, to be appointed by Governor Dayton through the open appointments process. Members of the taskforce will represent a balance of broadband interests, including consumers, business and residential users, educational and health care institutions, telephone and cable companies, wireless providers as well as metro and rural local units of government.
This is a step in the right direction. Let's hope it doesn't take too long for changes to be made.
