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.

2012 Status Report and Policy Recommendations (.pdf): This document provides a compilation of baseline information the Task Force will use in preparing the 2012 Annual Report and Broadband Plan. In addition, this report includes specific recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders to consider and stakeholders to consider.

Annual Report and Broadband Plan (December 2012 - .pdf) 

This Report and Plan includes policy recommendations to promote the expansion of broadband access in Minnesota.  The report also identifies adoption and access to disparities throughout the state and outlines the benefits of universal broadband access to the state’s economy, including more efficient delivery of healthcare, education, and government services.

Upcoming Meetings

• May 14, 2013
• June 11, 2013
• July 23, 2013
• August 6, 2013
• September 10, 2013
• October 1, 2013
• November 12, 2013
• December 3, 2013

Task Force Meeting Materials 

Tuesday, May 14 Meeting Agenda (.pdf)
Tuesday, May 14 Meeting Minutes (.pdf)

Tuesday, April 23 Meeting Agenda (.pdf)
Tuesday, April 23 Meeting Minutes (.pdf)
- Comcast Presentation (.pdf)
- Broadband Access Project Flyer (.pdf)
- Connect2Complete Handout (.pdf)
- Broadband Adoption - Hmong American Partnership (.pdf)
- CenturyLink Internet Basics Handout (.pdf)

Tuesday, March 5 Meeting Agenda (.pdf)
Tuesday, March 5 Meeting Minutes (.pdf) - Meeting Cancelled Due to Weather

Tuesday, February 19 Meeting Agenda (.pdf)
Tuesday, February 19 Meeting Minutes (.pdf)

Tuesday, January 29 Meeting Agenda (.pdf)
Tuesday, January 29 Meeting Minutes (.pdf)

Tuesday, November 27 Meeting Agenda (.pdf)
Tuesday, November 27 Meeting Minutes (.pdf)

Tuesday, November 13 Meeting Agenda (.pdf)
Tuesday, November 13 Meeting Minutes (.pdf)
Tuesday, November 13 Presentation (.pdf)

Tuesday, October 16 Meeting Agenda (.pdf)
Tuesday, October 16 Meeting Minutes (.pdf) 
Tuesday, October 16 Meeting Presentation 1 (.pdf)
Tuesday, October 16 Meeting Presentation 2 (.pdf)

Tuesday, September 11 Meeting Agenda (.pdf)  
Tuesday, September 11 Meeting Minutes (.pdf)
Tuesday, September 11 Meeting Presentation (.pdf)

Tuesday, July 16 Meeting Agenda (.pdf) 
Tuesday, July 16 Meeting Minutes (.pdf)

Tuesday, June 8 Meeting Agenda (.pdf)
Tuesday, June 8 Meeting Minutes (.pdf)

Tuesday, May 8 Meeting Agenda (.pdf)
Tuesday, May 8 Meeting Minutes (.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
Andrea Casselton, Director of Technology and Communications, City of St. Paul
Fred Underwood, MIS Director, Fond du Lac Reservation
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 
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