Not a luxury: Rural residents want better broadband

Rural counties in Minnesota are competing for better broadband, and have seen the shift in how their communities are viewing the necessity for it. About 90 percent of Minnesota households have a computer statewide, according to the Blandin Foundation, and 81 percent have a laptop; 76 percent have a smartphone and 59 percent have a tablet. But, there are many areas in Minnesota where access to high-speed internet is limited, and working remotely and distance learning have run into problems. Rural counties have been working to bring high-speed internet into the area for several years, but small local internet service providers say they can’t afford to invest large amounts of money into areas where there aren’t a lot of people. Money to subsidize rural broadband initiatives has also been limited, but recently the Minnesota Legislature approved $70 million for high-speed internet and the US Senate passed an infrastructure package that would give the state at least $100 million for broadband upgrades.