Minnesotans Yearn for Connectivity in Small Cities Not Traditionally Considered Rural

WASHINGTON, October 12, 2021 — Hosting Senator Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota on Tuesday, the Blandin Foundation heard from a representative for a league of municipalities that the senator should take back to Washington a call for funding in areas for connectivity that are traditionally not considered rural.

Brenda Johnson, executive director of the Southeastern Minnesota League of Municipalities, told Klobuchar that small cities that receive a high number of tourists and boost the local economy in Southeastern Minnesota should be included in the definition of “rural.”

“Down here we have a lot tourism which takes people into the beautiful parts of our bluff country,” Johnson said. “It’s a difficult area to serve [broadband] . . . when we have people visiting we need them to be safe but in Whalan, they have no way to get signal.”

Klobuchar responded by illustrating the need for greater connectivity. “Snowmobilers, people who in the middle of winter, that’s very scary too when something goes wrong and their cell phone won’t work . . . that’s why we’re pushing for this emergency funding,” she said.

Klobuchar has regarded herself as a key part of the broadband provisions included in the Senate-passed infrastructure bill, which includes $65 billion for broadband. Setting an optimistic tone, Klobuchar told the audience that the infrastructure bill would pass in the House of Representatives, though a vote isn’t scheduled.

The senator commended the Blandin Foundation for “thinking about ways to provide broadband in rural areas.” Klobuchar also answered questions from statewide stakeholders about the difficulty of providing the infrastructure to rural areas of the state.

Initiatives in Minnesota

After the senator’s remarks and a brief break-out room session, speakers gave presentations on ways that rural Minnesotans can be better connected.

Edward HillBrick from Libraries Without Borders introduced a tech lending library pilot program that would support greater access to information among Minnesota’s youth. Joe Miller from Literacy Minnesota promoted the inclusion of digital literacy skills within the broader broadband access conversation. The Region Nine Development Commission, a development organization in South Central Minnesota, promoted investment in mental health resources by presenting on mental health as an economic development tool.

Region Nine argued that investment in telemedicine systems can improve access, reduce costs, and increase flexibility and convenience. The virtual Building on Broadband: Inspiring Progress conference runs until Thursday, October 14 and aims to address the unique challenges to bridging to digital divide in rural communities in Minnesota.