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Annandale watches as lawmakers mull broadband funds [St. Cloud Times, Minn. :: ](St. Cloud Times (MN) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) April 16--A Central Minnesota community will watch closely in coming weeks as state legislators decide whether to fund broadband Internet expansion in rural areas. Spurred by residents' complaints with their Internet service provider, Annandale leaders are mulling a big step: partnering with public or private entities to build its own Internet network. Annandale and other Minnesota communities that are unserved or underserved by broadband service could get a chance to apply for state grants to build new networks. Lawmakers and Gov. Mark Dayton, who campaigned on expanding broadband in rural areas, are considering allotting $25 million for such grants in 2014. A House budget bill that passed earlier this month set aside those funds and established a state grant program for broadband expansion projects. Local governments, nonprofits or private companies all could be eligible for the grants if they apply and meet certain criteria. A corresponding Senate bill didn't include those provisions. The differences are expected to be resolved in a House-Senate conference committee after lawmakers' Easter-Passover break, which is underway until April 22. Annandale City Administrator Kelly Hinnenkamp has worked extensively on the broadband issue in the area. She says the community consensus on the need to find an alternative to its current Internet provider, Windstream Communications, is so strong that the City Council is likely to pursue some plan to help provide that alternative. The council hasn't decided what direction to take, Hinnenkamp said. The range of options the city can consider could hinge on what lawmakers do this year with broadband funding, Hinnenkamp said. "The success of how we move forward is reliant upon this," Hinnenkamp said. Dayton talked about broadband expansion on the campaign trail and pledged to have a border-to-border solution during his first term. But that pledge hasn't materialized. Most recently, Dayton's 2014 budget proposal didn't include funding for broadband. The governor said details were lacking about specific projects, according to a Minnesota Public Radio report. Dayton modulated his position last week, saying he would support some level of funding for broadband this year if lawmakers want it. "I have stressed that we need to start modestly, and prove the effectiveness of (these investments)," Dayton said. "The goal of having border-to-border cellphone and high-speed Internet coverage is something I said during the campaign. "I have believed all along it is important to do." Dan Dorman is among those pressing for broadband funding as executive director of the Greater Minnesota Partnership, a nonprofit group of cities, economic development authorities, chambers of commerce and businesses. Dorman, a former GOP state lawmaker from Albert Lea, says his group recently surveyed its members and found broadband access to be their top economic-development concern. Dorman said the broadband industry has mounted stiff opposition to proposals that could create competition in underserved areas. Sen. Matt Schmit, DFL-Red Wing, has led that push in the Legislature. But Dorman says he's heartened by House lawmakers' support for broadband investments -- and by Dayton's recent comments. "The governor coming out, at least indicating he's willing to support something, I think will help keep this moving," Dorman said. Keep up with Central Minnesota politics in the Political Quarry, www.sctimes.com/politicalquarry. Follow Times political reporter Mark Sommerhauser on Twitter @msommerhauser. ___ (c)2014 St. Cloud Times (St. Cloud, Minn.) Visit the St. Cloud Times (St. Cloud, Minn.) at www.sctimes.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |