On November 7, 2011, Governor Mark Dayton appointed 15 members to a Governor’s Task Force on Broadband. The Task Force, which was established by Executive Order 11-27, is charged with developing policies to promote the expansion of broadband access in Minnesota. Governor Dayton’s stated goal is “border-to-border” high speed Internet and cell phone access throughout Minnesota.

What Will the Task Force Do?

The Task Force will develop an action plan for identifying and correcting disparities in access and adoption of Broadband in all Minnesota communities – urban, rural, and suburban. That action plan will help ensure that residential homes, schools, hospitals, and businesses have access to the technology and information resources they need to thrive in a global economy.

The Minnesota Department of Commerce, which houses the state’s Broadband Development Office, works closely with the Governor’s Task Force on Broadband.

How Can I Follow What the Task Force is Working On?

Meeting agendas, minutes and documents of the task force are posted below. Also, you can view the 2011 task force report for more detailed information.

Minnesota Broadband Plan Outline (.pdf)

This document fulfills the second deliverable of the Governor’s Task Force
on Broadband created by Governor Mark Dayton under Executive Order
#11-27 and requiring the filing of a Broadband Plan Outline by January 31,
2012.

Upcoming Meetings

May 8
Governor’s Task Force on Broadband
Winona Health, 855 Mankato Avenue, Winona, MN 55987
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Tuesday, May 8 Meeting Agenda (.pdf)

June 12
Deer River/Cass Lake

July 17
Mankato

No meeting in August

September 11
Thief River Falls

October 16
Lac qui Parle County/Montevideo

November 13
Duluth

December 4
Minneapolis/St. Paul

Task Force Meeting Materials

Tuesday, May 8 Meeting Agenda (.pdf)

Tuesday, April 17 Meeting Minutes (.pdf)

Tuesday April 17 meeting agenda (.pdf)

Tuesday March 27 meeting minutes (.pdf)

Tuesday March 27 meeting agenda  (.pdf)

Tuesday, February 14, 2012 presentation slides  (.pdf)

Tuesday, February 14, 2012 meeting minutes  (.pdf)

Tuesday, February 14, 2012 meeting agenda  (.pdf)

Monday January 24, 2012 meeting minutes  (.pdf)

Monday January 24, 2012 meeting agenda  (.pdf)

Tuesday January 10, 2012 meeting minutes  (.pdf)

Tuesday January 10, 2012 meeting agenda  (.pdf)

Monday December 19, 2011 meeting minutes  (.pdf)

Monday December 19, 2011 meeting agenda  (.pdf)

Tuesday November 29, 2011 meeting minutes  (.pdf)

Tuesday November 29, 2011 meeting agenda   (.pdf)

Who Serves on the Task Force?

Members of the Task Force, listed below, represent a balance of broadband interests, including consumers, business and residential users, educational and health care institutions, traditional telephone and cable companies, wireless providers as well as metro and rural local units of government. Members include:

Margaret Anderson Kelliher, President, Minnesota High Tech Association
Bob Bass, Bloomington, AT&T Wireless
Gary Evans, CEO of Hiawatha Broadband Communications
Matt Grose, Superintendent, Deer River Public Schools
Maureen Ideker, Director of Telehealth, Essentia Health
Bernadine Joselyn, Director of Public Policy and Engagement for the Blandin Foundation
Steve Lewsader, President of the Communication Workers of America, Local 7201
Danna MacKenzie, Director of Information Systems for Cook County
Keith Modglin, Information Systems Director for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe
Steve Peterson, Bloomington City Council
Daniel Richter, President of MVTV Wireless
Duane Ring, President of the nine-state Midwest Region of Century Link
Dick Sjoberg, Sjoberg's Cable
Bao Vang, President/CEO of the Hmong-American Partnership
Shirley Walz, Senior Director of Technology for Thomson Reuters