Minnesota Rural Electric Association applauds historic broadband investments

MAPLE GROVE, MN – This week the Walz Administration announced $67 million in state grants to expand broadband access across Minnesota with millions of dollars being rewarded to electric cooperatives and their affiliated partners. The news is on the heels of a historic announcement Monday by the Biden Administration with an additional $651 million going to Minnesota to improve internet connectivity.

“We are thrilled to see historic investments in broadband funding,” Darrick Moe, Minnesota Rural Electric Association CEO said. “Broadband has evolved into a fundamental necessity for our rural communities. Once again, cooperatives continue to be leaders in improving the communities we serve by helping connect more Minnesotans to affordable, reliable internet.”

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The Minnesota Rural Electric Association (MREA) is a nonprofit trade association serving Minnesota’s electric cooperatives. MREA provides legislative and regulatory representation, director and employee education programs, technical training for electric cooperative line workers, and serves as the focal point for cooperation among cooperatives. Minnesota’s 44 distribution cooperatives serve about 1.7 million Minnesotans in all 87 counties and operate the largest distribution network in the state with more than 135,000 miles of electric lines.