Federal Broadband Funding to Connect 89,000 Minnesotans; DEED Begins Prequalification Process



Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Press Release


*For Immediate Release*




Mary Haugen

[email protected]




February 19, 2025

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*Federal Broadband Funding to Connect 89,000 Minnesotans; DEED Begins Prequalification Process*

St. Paul, MN – The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced today that nearly 89,000 Minnesota homes and businesses could receive new high-speed broadband service through the state’s $652 million federal Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) allocation.  

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration has formally accepted DEED’s proposed map of final eligible locations that BEAD funding could serve. During this so-called Challenge Process, DEED identified 88,700 locations that qualify as unserved (with broadband speeds slower than 25 megabits [Mpbs] per second download and 3 Mbps upload) or underserved (with speeds slower than 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload). 

DEED has published the locations online (Minnesota BEAD Challenge Map [ [link removed] ]) so Minnesota homeowners, businesses, counties and others can see if they could receive high-speed broadband through the program.  

"This is an exciting moment in our work to connect every Minnesotan to the high-speed broadband our communities depend on,” said *DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek.* “Our state’s BEAD funding will help us connect 89,000 more Minnesota homes and businesses to broadband – a huge figure that shows the impact of DEED’s partnership with the federal government and broadband providers in our state.” 

DEED’s Office of Broadband Development now invites internet providers to submit prequalification information about their future applications to use BEAD grant funds to expand broadband services.  

During this Pre-Qualification Evaluation, internet service providers that plan to apply for BEAD grants should submit pertinent information immediately, allowing DEED to quickly determine their eligibility for those grants. Interested providers can find more details on DEED’s website (Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program [ [link removed] ]). 

"We’re working as quickly as possible to get Minnesota's BEAD funding to the providers that will help connect more people to high-speed broadband,” said *Office of Broadband Development Executive Director Bree Maki*. “Minnesota’s broadband sector has a strong national reputation, and we’re excited that our ongoing partnership with providers will better connect the Minnesotans we all serve.” 

The Pre-Qualification application is open until Feb. 27, 2025. After this phase, DEED will open three subgrantee selection rounds for BEAD grants this spring and summer, with the goal of submitting the final proposal to NITA by Oct. 3. 

"DEED is the state’s principal economic development agency, promoting business recruitment, expansion and retention, workforce development, international trade and community development. Find out how DEED delivers for Minnesota by visiting the""_ _""DEED website" [ [link removed] ]", ""_ _""JoinUsMn.com" [ [link removed] ]", ""CareerForceMN.com" [ [link removed] ]" or"" ""follow us on X" [ [link removed] ]"."

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"Upon request, this information can be made available in alternate formats for people with disabilities by contacting the DEED Communications Office at 651-259-7161."





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