Border-to-Border Infrastructure GrantProgram Overview

Information current as of July 10, 2014

Danna MacKenzie, Executive DirectorMN Office of Broadband Development

Intro to Office of Broadband Development

Office (OBD) was created in 2013 legislationCharge: • Encourage, foster, develop, and improve broadband

within the state.

Purpose: • To drive job creation, promote innovation, and expand

markets for Minnesota businesses.• To serve the ongoing needs of Minnesota’s education

systems, health care systems, public safety systems, industries and businesses, governmental operations, and citizens.

Border to Border Broadband Development Grant - Purpose• Grant purpose: To provide financial assistance for the

acquisition and installation of middle-mile and last-mile broadband infrastructure to areas of the state that do not have wireline access at federal and state minimum standard speeds.

• Allowable costs: Examples of allowable costs include: project planning; obtaining construction permits; purchase and/or construction of facilities, including construction of both “middle mile” and “last mile” infrastructure; and installation and testing of the equipment used to provide broadband service.

Border to Border Broadband Development Grant – Overview• $20M one-time appropriation (up to 3% avail for admin and mapping)

• Distributed in single competitive grant round• Technology must be scalable to at least 100Mbps Up/Down• Cap of $5M per grant award• At least 1 to 1 match (50% of eligible expenses) required (More

points awarded for higher match)

• Grant awards will be geographically dispersed• All invoiced work must be complete by 12/31/16

Border to Border Broadband Development Grant – Overview - Eligibility

• Who is eligible to apply?– An incorporated business or partnership– A political subdivision– An Indian tribe– A Minnesota nonprofit organized under 317A– A Minnesota cooperative organized under 308A or 308B– A Minnesota limited liability corporation organized under

322B for the purpose of expanding broadband access

Border to Border Broadband Development Grant – DRAFT Application Process and Timeline

• Late Sept - Program details will be announced via web and email list.

• Application period open for 30 days.• Oct-Nov – 6 week application review process• Challenge window: 1st two weeks of review

process.• Target to make awards in late December

Application Requirements1. Description of area to be served by proposed project 2. Whether the project is middle-mile, last mile or both3. Kind and amount of broadband infrastructure to be purchased 4. Evidence regarding the unserved or underserved nature of the community5. Number of households passed that will have access to broadband as result of

the project 6. Significant community institutions that will benefit from the proposed project 7. Evidence of community support for the project 8. Total cost of the project9. Sources of funding or in-kind contributions for the project that will

supplement any grant award

DRAFT Scoring Criteria—Points Awarded for the Following

• Unserved gets bonus points• Underserved # and %• Is an economically distressed area served• Economic development potential• Sustainability of the project

Draft Scoring Criteria Continued

• Financial and organizational capability• Evidence of community support• Project plan and timeline• Comparability (price and speed) to service

offered in urban areas• Community anchor institutions that will

benefit

Draft Scoring Criteria Continued

• Specific evidence of health and public safety benefits

• Technical support and training on broadband provided in the community

• Information on how the broadband service will be promoted when it becomes available

• Evidence of Economic Development Benefits

What Can Potential Applicants Do Now?

• Verify locations/areas that are eligible• Establish Partners (provider partner,

community partner)• Design project, generate timeline, create

budget• Obtain financial commitments for match• Gather community support

County maps showing unserved and underserved census blocks are available:

Maps available on the Connect MN website:

http://connectmn.org

Under:LEARN > COUNTY PROFILES

If your information differs from what current data shows—contact ConnectMN at http://www.connectmn.org/infrastructuregrants

Regional Grant Information Meetings

• Friday, July 18 from 1:30 to 3:00MontevideoChippewa County CourthouseAssembly Room (basement level)629 North 11th Street (corner of state hwy 7 and 11th Street)

• Monday, July 28 from 1:30 to 3:00Brainerd/BaxterThe Lodge at Brainerd Lakes6967 Lake Forest RoadBaxter, MN 56425

• Wednesday, July 30 from 1:30 to 3:00EvelethIRRRB Offices

4261 Highway 53

• Tuesday, August 19CrookstonTime and location TBD

• Friday, August 22 from 1:30 to 3:00OwatonnaSouthern Minnesota Initiative Foundation525 Florence Avenue

• Wednesday, August 26West Central Region—TBD

Thank you & Contact Information

For more information, contact:

Danna MacKenzie, 651-259-7611danna.mackenzie@state.mn.ushttp://mn.gov/deed/broadbandSubscribe to the MN Broadband E-Blasts to receive more information as it becomes available.