Northeast Minnesota Well-Represented on Governor's Broadband Task Force

Governor Dayton has joined the Connect Minnesota movement by forming a Task Force on Broadband to recommend public policies and action steps that will expand "border to border" broadband access throughout Minnesota.

With the announcement this week of 15 members appointed to serve on the task force, Dayton follows in the footsteps of the previous administration by focusing on ubiquitous connectivity as a critical component of economic development.  To Dayton's credit, the task force has broad representation from rural Minnesota, particularly the Arrowhead region.

Task force menbers include, among others, Danna MacKenzie, Information Services Director at Cook County; Bernadine Joselyn, Director, Public Policy & Engagement at the Blandin Foundation; and Matt Grose, Superintendent, Deer River Public Schools.  These members bring a strong personal commitment and a deep skill set to the work at hand.

Former legislator and House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, Director of the Minnesota High Tech Association, will chair the task force.  The Minnesota Department of Commerce will help shepherd the task force as work gets underway.  The group has a challenging "to do" list with a preliminary report due as early as December 30, 2011. The goals and objectives of the task force align well with the goals and obectives of the Northeast Middle Mile Fiber Project.